Enviro-Fish Africa (Pty) Ltd.

C.A.P.E. ESTUARIES MANAGEMENT PROGRAMME

GAMTOOS ESTUARY MANAGEMENT PLAN

VOLUME I

SITUATION ASSESSMENT (STATE OF PLAY REPORT)

Produced by: Enviro-Fish Africa (Pty) Ltd. P.O. Box 94 Grahamstown 6140

Produced for: Cape Nature

December 2007

C.A.P.E. Estuaries Management Programme; Gamtoos Estuary Management Plan: Situation Assessment 1 Enviro-Fish Africa (Pty) Ltd.

1. INTRODUCTION

Estuarine ecosystems are not isolated systems. They form an interface between marine and freshwater systems and are part of regional, national and global ecosystems either directly via water flows or indirectly through the movement of fauna. In addition to the biota that these estuaries support, they provide a range of goods and services (uses) to the inhabitants of the various regions. Disturbances in one estuary can influence a wide variety of habitats and organisms in the broader freshwater or marine ecosystem. Thus, the interaction between the systems and users creates a delicate balance, the sustainability of which needs to be addressed by some form of management plan.

In order to address this balance in a consistent manner in the Cape Floristic Region (CFR), the Cape Action for People and the Environment (C.A.P.E.) Estuaries Management Programme has developed a holistic and inclusive management process representative of all stakeholders. The programme is governed by a Task Team comprising of officials from C.A.P.E., CapeNature, Marine and Coastal Management (MCM), the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry (DWAF), the Eastern Cape Parks Board (ECPB) and the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), which heads the technical support group.

The urgent need for Estuary Management Plans (EMPs) became apparent during the development of the new Integrated Coastal Management Bill. Estuaries and the management thereof have not been adequately addressed by past marine, freshwater and biodiversity conservation Acts. Estuaries and estuaries management have been marginalized due to the fact that they do not fit the ambit of any one government Department. Estuaries and the management thereof now form an integral part of the new Integrated Coastal Management Bill which outlines a National Estuarine Management Protocol. The protocol identifies the need for the development of EMPs, as these would help to align and coordinate estuaries management at a local level.

Approximately 62 estuaries exist within the CFR. These vary from small relatively simple systems to large complex systems. In order to create a focal area within which the programme can be initiated, six priority estuaries were identified at a stakeholder workshop (proceedings available on request). These priority estuaries are located on the following six rivers: the Olifants, Breede, Heuningsnes, Klein, Knysna and Gamtoos.

Enviro-Fish Africa (Pty) Ltd. has been contracted by Cape Nature to address the development and implementation of an (EMP) for the Gamtoos estuary. This report fulfills the requirements of Objective 1, namely a Situation Assessment, and is presented in the form of a State of Play or SOP Report.

2. TERMS OF REFERENCE

OBJECTIVE 1: SITUATION ASSESSMENT

The consultant is expected to review all existing local information in the form of local research reports and management processes. This information can be obtained from Local Authorities and forums. A map of the estuary should be developed identifying different habitats and potential and existing management zones. The map should identify and record all developments in at least a 500m zone surrounding the estuary. The possible direct impacts of these and other local developments should be noted.

C.A.P.E. Estuaries Management Programme; Gamtoos Estuary Management Plan: Situation Assessment 2 Enviro-Fish Africa (Pty) Ltd.

The description of the current situation should include information on: • Legal requirements relevant to the specific estuary • Requirements stipulated under existing institutional Management Strategies such as Catchment Management Strategies, IDP (including SDF and Water Development Services Plan), Ramsar & National Heritage Site Strategies, Protected Area & Conservation Plans (C.A.P.E. Estuaries) relevant to the specific estuary • the Biophysical environment (present Ecological Health & Important physical processes) • the Socio-Economic environment (e.g. demographics & economic profile, land-use and planning provisions, cultural & heritage resources, water supply & demand, waste management etc.) • Conservation Planning • The Exploitation of living resources • Mariculture activities • Resource Directed Measures, e.g. Classification, Reserve and RQO • Current institutional structures governing estuarine issues

The estuary should be represented spatially in the form of a GIS Map indicating the following: • Important biophysical features • All protected/conservation areas • Areas earmarked for rehabilitation • Land-use and planning provisions of surrounding lands • Infrastructure • Cultural & heritage sites • Recreational activities • Living resource exploitation • Mariculture activities • Wastewater discharges • Stormwater drains • Solid waste dump sites.

Finally, an assessment of the opportunities and constraints (e.g. legal obligations, constraints of tenure, prior usage, health and safety, natural hazards) should be done to guide the development of the EMP.

3. PROJECT TEAM

Overall responsibility for the project lies with Enviro-Fish Africa (Pty) Ltd. The project and team will be managed by Dr Tim Andrew of EFA; Dr Aidan Wood from Gleneagles Environmental Consulting CC is the project coordinator and will provide specialist input where required; Dr Warren Potts, a post-doctoral student in Ichthyology at Rhodes University, will provide specialist input with regards living resource exploitation and the bio- physical aspects of the estuary; Dr Rob Palmer from Nepid Consultants will provide specialist input with regards the catchment, water use and water requirements; and Dr Albrecht Goetz from the South African Environmental Observation Network will be responsible for all mapping and GIS work.

4. BIO-PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION

C.A.P.E. Estuaries Management Programme; Gamtoos Estuary Management Plan: Situation Assessment 3 Enviro-Fish Africa (Pty) Ltd.

4.1 PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION

The Gamtoos estuary (33º58’S; 25º04’E) is a medium/large, permanently open, shallow mud- dominated turbid system, entering the sea through a dynamic coastal dunefield, with a shallow (< 1.5 m) tidal inlet when the estuary is not in flood. Historically however, the estuary has not always been open to the sea. During the drought in the late 1950s up until 1960, the mouth was closed. A flood in 1961 opened the mouth on the eastern shore (Salme 1994) but by 1969 the mouth of the estuary had closed again. However during the1971 floods, there were five mouth openings of which the biggest was 4.2 km west of the position in the early 1960’s. The previous opening eventually closed forming a tidal inlet or lagoon on the eastern shore (Marais 1983). Since the early 1980s, the mouth position has remained relatively stable and at the time of this survey (5 – 9 November 2007) was to the right of the abandoned tidal inlet referred to as "Gamtoos Lagoon", which is shallow (< 1.8 m), navigable only on a fuller tide, with a maximum width of ∼ 200 m (Heinecken 1981; Reddering and Scarr 1990). The mouth itself is narrow (< 50 m) at its closest point to the sea, but widens to ~250 m for the first 1.5 km upstream where there is an extensive flood tide delta. This area hosts a variety of wading and other sea birds, including a large number of the endangered Oyster Catcher. The estuary remains relatively wide in the middle reaches and the main channel deepens to ~4 m. From 7 km upstream (approximately opposite the Ferry Hotel) the estuary is channeled and narrows to < 100 m with steep banks and a narrow intertidal region dominated by Phragmites reed beds. The channel at this point is shallow (< 2.5 m), and the depth gradually gets less until it measures < 1.0 m deep at the tidal head some 20 km upstream (Schlacher and Wooldridge 1996). The exact position of this tidal head is also transitory and its distance from the mouth depends on the degree of river scouring and the amount of freshwater input into the system.

The catchment area that drains into the tributaries of the Gamtoos is extensive (±34 500 km 2), and extends far into the interior. An average of <600 mm of rain falls in the catchment annually, and dams are required to conserve freshwater for agricultural, industrial and private requirements (Schumann and Pearce 1997). There are three major dams on the catchment, including the Kouga Dam, that have reduced the supply of freshwater to the estuary. The total storage capacity of the main reservoirs is between 249 and 255 x 10 6 m3, which equates to 3 approximately half of the mean annual runoff of the catchment (495 to 501 x 10 6 m ; Jezewski and Roberts 1986; Midgley et al . 1994; van Niekerk and Huizinga 2003). Evaporation and abstraction of river water further reduce freshwater flow to the estuary, and in 1997, mean freshwater flow into the Gamtoos was estimated at <1 m3 s -1 (Schumann and Pearce 1997).

Agricultural pollution has been a cause for concern in the Gamtoos Estuary for some time. Marais (1983) noted high NO 2 levels in the upper catchment and attributed it to intensive farming in the Patensie floodplain. Van Niekerk and Huizinga (2003) noted that an extensive surface and subsurface agricultural drainage system directs runoff from the low-lying Loerie Flats region into an agricultural drainage pipe that empties into the estuary 16.5 km from the mouth. Outflow at the pipe has been measured at between 0.07 and 11 l s -1 (Schumann and Pearce 1997). The contribution of water to the estuary was considered insignificant, but nutrient concentrations, particularly in the upper estuary, were significant. The agricultural drainage pipe which discharges runoff from an area of approximately 50 ha and throughflow from the upper 1.2 m of soil into the estuary, gives an indication of the contribution of nutrients from surface runoff of the agricultural fields to the estuary. Pearce (1996) estimated that on an annual basis, approximately 75 kg of phosphorous, 129 kg of nitrate and 16 kg of

C.A.P.E. Estuaries Management Programme; Gamtoos Estuary Management Plan: Situation Assessment 4 Enviro-Fish Africa (Pty) Ltd. nitrite entered the estuary from the surface agricultural drainage system alone. A mixing zone exists around the discharge point resulting in a dilution of the pollutants entering the estuary. Such dilution increases with distance from the discharge point and thus brought the concentration of nutrients measured at certain times in the estuary to within recommended limits. Total groundwater discharge also contributes significant levels of nutrients to the Gamtoos. Pearce (1996) estimated that between 10 and 2 700 kg of nitrate-N, 1 and 89 kg of nitrite-N and 10 and 400 kg of phosphorous-P were contributed by total groundwater discharge to the estuary per annum. These estimates were regarded as 'conservative' and only represented inputs from an area that comprises less than 20 % of the total area bordering the estuary.

4.2 BIOLOGICAL DESCRIPTION

4.2.1 Fish Van Wyk (see Heinecken 1981) conducted one of the first ichthyological studies on the Gamtoos Estuary. He identified dusky kob ( Argyrosomus japonicus ), spotted grunter (Pomadasys commersonni ), white steenbras ( Lithognathus lithognathus ), mullet species (Family: Migulidae) and seabarbel ( Galeichthys feliceps ). In a more comprehensive study, Marias (1983) conducted extensive gillnet surveys and concluded that the estuary had a rich large-fish fauna dominated by dusky kob, spotted grunter, white sea-barbel, white steenbras and leervis. The estuary is particularly well known for the large dusky kob that utilize the system as a resting and feeding area and as such the protection of the estuary is of paramount importance to the survival of this national resource. Angler reports suggest that the large dusky kob and white steenbras are predominantly found in the lower reaches of the estuary, while the spotted grunter, seabarbel, leervis (Lichia amia ), and mullet species are found throughout the system. Bok (1984) observed the mullets, Myxus capensis and Mugil cephalus 120 km upstream of the estuary mouth. Recently, members of the competitive light tackle boat angling fraternity indicated that a large number of elasmobranch species are frequently captured near the mouth of the estuary. Angling records showed that these include the diamond ray ( Gymnura natalensis ), eagleray ( Myliobatus aquila ), blackspotted electric ray (Torpedo fuscomaculata), ragged tooth shark (Eugomphodus taurus ) and lesser sank shark (Rhinobat os annulatus ). Strydom (1998) studied the larval fishes in the estuary and identified the larvae of a total of 28 species belonging to 15 families. The most dominant families were the Clupeidae (with one species, the estuarine round herring, Gilchristella aestuaria being by far the most abundant) followed by Gobiidae and Sparidae.

4.2.2 Birds Bird counts by the St. Francis Bay Bird Club on the middle and lower reaches of the Gamtoos estuary since summer 2001 have revealed a total of 67 species from 39 families. Amongst these are the endangered African Black Oystercatcher and the rare (in South Africa) European Oystercatcher. The adjacent Gamtoos Coastal Reserve is known to be an important area for oystercatchers and as many as 200 individuals have been observed in a single day (Chuck Cook, St. Francis Bay Bird Club, Pers. Comm.). Data collected by the club are forwarded to the Avian Demography Unit in Cape Town and are considered to be reliable. The mouth region of the estuary including the blind lagoon and extensive adjacent wetlands are considered to be of primary importance to a range of species.

4.2.3 Invertebrates Gaigher (in Heinecken 1981) surveyed the bait organisms in the Gamtoos River system in 1980 and indicated that sand prawn Callianassa kraussii and mud prawn Upogebia africana

C.A.P.E. Estuaries Management Programme; Gamtoos Estuary Management Plan: Situation Assessment 5 Enviro-Fish Africa (Pty) Ltd. were abundant wherever suitable substrate occurred in the lower part of the estuary. Upogebia were generally not found higher than the Ferry Hotel (approximately 7 km upriver), while Callianassa were found right to the confluence of the Gamtoos and the Loerie Rivers. He observed scattered populations of pencil bait ( Solen capensis ), but made no mention of bloodworm ( Arenicola loveni ) although they are known to be present and exploited for bait by anglers.

5. LEGISLATION PERTAINING TO ESTUARINE MANAGEMENT

The purpose of this section is to review all forms of legislation that may have an impact on the management of the Gamtoos estuary. This review incorporates international agreements and strategies as well as all forms of national, regional and local legislation.

5.1 INTERNATIONAL OBLIGATIONS (Table 5.1)

Table 5.1 Summary of International obligations and their relevance to estuarine management.

International Obligations Short Description Convention on Wetlands of International The broad aims of this Convention are to Importance especially as Waterfowl stem the loss and to promote wise use of all Habitat (1971) (Ramsar Convention) wetlands (including estuaries). Agenda 21 (1992) This is not a legally binding document, but as reaffirmed at the United Nations Agenda 21 is an internationally accepted World Summit on Sustainable strategy for sustainable development; the Development - Johannesburg Summit principles of sustainable development are (2002) easily applied to the estuarine scenario. United Nations Convention on Biological The objectives of convention include the Diversity (1992) conservation of biological diversity; the sustainable use of biological resources; and the fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from the use of genetic resources. United Nations Framework Convention This framework sets an "ultimate objective" on Climate Change (1992) of stabilizing greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere at a level that would prevent dangerous anthropogenic interference with the climate system. This has particular relevance to estuaries when considering changes in rainfall, storm severity and flood levels and frequencies. Global Programme of Action for the The GPA is designed to assist states in Protection of the Marine Environment taking action to prevent, reduce, control or from Land-based Activities (GPA) (1995) elimination the degradation of the marine environment (including estuaries), and to assist in its recovery or rehabilitation from the impacts of land-based activities.

5.2 NATIONAL LEGISLATION (Table 5.2) AND POLICY (Table 5.3)

C.A.P.E. Estuaries Management Programme; Gamtoos Estuary Management Plan: Situation Assessment 6 Enviro-Fish Africa (Pty) Ltd.

Table 5.2 Summary of national legislation and its relevance to estuarine management in general and the Gamtoos in particular. OBJ = Setting Resource Objectives; L&D = Land-use and Infrastructure Development; WQQ = Water Quantity and quality; ELR = Exploitation of Living Resources (from Taljaard 2007).

National Lead Agent Short Description Relevance to the Gamtoos Legislation Estuary OBJ L&D WQQ ELR

National DEAT This Act provides for the conservation of biological X X X X Environmental diversity, regulates the sustainable use of biological Management: resources and ensures a fair and equitable sharing of the Biodiversity Act benefits arising from the use of genetic resources. (Act 10 of 2004) National Health Act Delegated to Delegated to Provincial and Local authorities from X (No. 61 of 2004) Provincial and Department of Health Local authorities from Department of Health National DEAT This Act provides for the protection and conservation of X X X X Environmental ecologically viable areas representative of South Africa’s Management: biological diversity and its natural landscapes and Protected Areas Act seascapes; for the establishment of a national register of (Act 57 of 2003) all national, provincial and local protected areas; for the management of those areas in accordance with national norms and standards; for intergovernmental co-operation and public consultation in matters concerning protected areas.

C.A.P.E. Estuaries Management Programme; Gamtoos Estuary Management Plan: Situation Assessment 7 Enviro-Fish Africa (Pty) Ltd.

Table 5.2 continued National Lead Agent Short Description Relevance to the Gamtoos Legislation Estuary OBJ L&D WQQ ELR Disaster Act is To provide for an integrated and coordinated disaster X X Management Act administered by a management policy that focuses on preventing or reducing (No. 57 of 2002) Cabinet member the risk of disasters, mitigating the severity of disasters, designated by the emergency preparedness, rapid and effective response to President disasters and post-disaster recovery; the establishment of national, provincial and municipal disaster management centres; disaster management volunteers; and matters incidental thereto Local Government: Department of This Act deals with Integrated Development Planning X X X X Municipal Systems Provincial and (IDP), which is intended to encompass and harmonise Act (Act 32 of Local planning over a range of sectors such as water, transport, 2000 ) Government land use and environmental management.

Development Same This Act requires the setting of Land Development X X X X Facilitation Act Objectives and the principles of this Act have also been (Act 67 of 1995) incorporated into the Municipal Systems Act. Local Government Same This Act requires that all municipalities, local and district X X Transition Second councils, draw up IDPs for the integrated development Amendment Act and management of their areas of jurisdiction. (Act 97 of 1996) Local Government Same This Act provides for “the establishment of municipalities X X X X Municipal in accordance with the requirements relating to categories Structures Act (No. and types of municipality; to establish criteria for 117 of 1998, determining the category of municipality in an area” and amended by Act 33 other related matters. of 2000) National DEAT This Act provides for the conservation of biological X X X X Environmental diversity, regulates the sustainable use of biological Management Act resources and to ensures a fair and equitable sharing of the (Act 107 of 1998) benefits arising from the use of genetic resources.

C.A.P.E. Estuaries Management Programme; Gamtoos Estuary Management Plan: Situation Assessment 8 Enviro-Fish Africa (Pty) Ltd.

Table 5.2 continued National Lead Agent Short Description Relevance to the Gamtoos Legislation Estuary OBJ L&D WQQ ELR National DEAT (Marine & This Bill aims to establish a system of integrated coastal X X Environmental Coastal and estuarine management in South Africa, including Management: Management) norms, standards and policies, to promote the conservation Integrated Coastal of the coastal environment, the ecological sustainable Management Bill development of the coastal zone, to define rights and A & B duties in relation to coastal areas, to determine responsible organs of state in relation to coastal areas and to give effect to South Africa’s international obligations in relation to coastal matters and to provide for related matters. National Veld and DWAF Sets out to reform the law on veld and forest and provides X Forest Fire Act (No. for matters relating to fire protection, and fighting, 101 of 1998) offences and penalties and enforcement.

National Water Act DWAF This Act ensures protection of the aquatic ecosystems of X X X X (Act 36 of 1998) water resources, including estuaries. It requires policies to be in place that provide guidance in developing resource quality objectives, i.e. specifying aspects such as freshwater inflow, water quality, habitat integrity, biotic composition and functioning requirements. National Forests DWAF This Act recognises that natural forests and woodlands X Act (No. 84 of (including riparian vegetation) form an important part of 1998) the environment, and need to be conserved and developed according to the principles of sustainable management. Marine Living DEAT (MCM) This Act deals with the utilization, conservation and X X Resources Act management of marine living resources, the need to (Act 18 of 1998) protect whole ecosystems, preserve marine biodiversity and minimize marine pollution as well as to comply with international law and agreements and to restructure the fishing industry.

C.A.P.E. Estuaries Management Programme; Gamtoos Estuary Management Plan: Situation Assessment 9 Enviro-Fish Africa (Pty) Ltd.

Table 5.2 continued National Lead Agent Short Description Relevance to the Gamtoos Legislation Estuary OBJ L&D WQQ ELR Water Services Act DWAF Right of access to basic water supply and sanitation; X X (No. 108 of 1997) control of water services; preparation of WSDPs. The Constitution National The Constitution is the supreme law of the land and X X X X (Act 108 of 1996) Government provides the legal framework for legislation regulating environmental management in general. The most pertinent fundamental right in the context of estuarine management is the Environmental Right which provides that: "Everyone has the right: to an environment that is not harmful to their health or well-being; and • to have the environment protected, for the benefit of present and future generations through reasonable legislative and other measures that – • prevent pollution and ecological degradation; • promote conservation; and • secure ecologically sustainable development and use of natural resources while promoting justifiable economic and social development. Local Government Department of This Act ( www.info.gov.za/documents/acts/1996.htm ) also X X Transition Second Provincial and requires that all municipalities, local and district councils, Amendment Act Local draw up IDPs for the integrated development and (Act 97 of 1996) Government management of their areas of jurisdiction. Tourism Act (No. DEAT No details. X X 72 of 1993, as amended in 1996 & 2000) Development Department of This Act requires the setting of Land Development X X X X Facilitation Act Provincial and Objectives and the principles of this Act have also been (Act 67 of 1995) Local incorporated into the Municipal Systems Act. Government

C.A.P.E. Estuaries Management Programme; Gamtoos Estuary Management Plan: Situation Assessment 10 Enviro-Fish Africa (Pty) Ltd.

Table 5.2 continued National Lead Agent Short Description Relevance to the Gamtoos Legislation Estuary OBJ L&D WQQ ELR Local Government Department of To provide for revised interim measures with a view to X X Transition Act (No. Provincial and promoting the restructuring of local government, and to 209 of 1993) Local provide for the establishment of Provincial Committees Government for Local Government in respect of the various provinces Environmental DEAT Although many of the provisions of this Act have been X Conservation Act repealed by NEMA, the regulation on Sensitive Coastal (No. 73 of 1989) Areas remains in force until replaced with new regulations. Sea Fishery Act 12 DEAT (Marine & This act includes estuaries and the estuary bed and has X of 1988 Coastal been used to proclaim marine reserves along certain management) sections of our coast. Conservation of Department of This Act provides for the conservation of the natural X X Agricultural Agriculture agricultural resources of the Republic by the maintenance Resources Act (No. of the production potential of land, by the combating and 43 of 1983) prevention of erosion and weakening or destruction of the water sources (including estuaries), and by the protection of the vegetation and the combating of weeds and invader plants. Marine Pollution Department of This Act provides for the protection of the marine X (Control and Civil Transport environment from pollution by oil and other harmful Liability) Act (No. (prevention) and substances, the prevention and combating of such 6 of 1981) DEAT pollution. (combating) National Buildings Unknown Sets requirements for the approval and installation of X X X Regulations and storm water drains. These regulations must be read Building Standards together with the South African Bureau of Standard’s Act (No. 103 of code of practice, which also lays down detailed 1977) requirements for the design of storm water drainage systems.

C.A.P.E. Estuaries Management Programme; Gamtoos Estuary Management Plan: Situation Assessment 11 Enviro-Fish Africa (Pty) Ltd.

Table 5.2 continued National Lead Agent Short Description Relevance to the Gamtoos Legislation Estuary OBJ L&D WQQ ELR National Parks Act DEAT; SANP The National Parks Act provides for the establishment of X X X X (No. 57 of 1976) National Parks. National Park status establishes the strongest claim to permanent protection that is possible. Areas above and below the intertidal zone may be included in a National Park. Lake Areas DWAF This law (rarely used since enactment) provides for the X X X X Development Act establishment of Lake Areas (which includes estuaries). (No. 39 of 1975) The effectiveness of this law is questionable, as only two such areas have been proclaimed under it. Those Lake Areas are managed by the SANP by virtue of provisions in the National Parks Act Sea Bird and Seal DEAT (MCM) This Acts governs the protection and control of the X Protection Act (No. capture, killing and products produced from seabirds and 46 of 12973) seals. Hazardous Department of To provide for the control (including the prevention of X Substances Act (No. Health and dumping)of substances which may cause injury or ill 15 of 1973 Welfare health to, or death, of human beings by reason of their toxic, corrosive, irritant, strongly sensitizing or flammable nature. Foodstuffs, Department of In South Africa standards (i.e. concentration limits of X Cosmetics and Health and constituents required by law) specifying the limits of Disinfectant Welfare. chemical and microbiological constituents in the flesh of Act (No. 54 of different marine organisms used for human consumption 1972) are covered under this Act and are listed as the regulation - Marine food, 2 November 1973 (re Bacteriological contamination) and the regulation related to metals and foodstuffs.

C.A.P.E. Estuaries Management Programme; Gamtoos Estuary Management Plan: Situation Assessment 12 Enviro-Fish Africa (Pty) Ltd.

Table 5.2 continued National Lead Agent Short Description Relevance to the Gamtoos Legislation Estuary OBJ L&D WQQ ELR Physical Planning Department of The Act provides for Guide Plans that could influence the X X Act (No. 88 of Provincial and planning and location of storm water drains. 1967) Local Government Seashore Act (No. DEAT This Act provides that ownership of the seashore (which X X 21 of 1935) includes the water and land between the low-water mark and the high-water mark in estuaries and the sea is vested in the State.

C.A.P.E. Estuaries Management Programme; Gamtoos Estuary Management Plan: Situation Assessment 13 Enviro-Fish Africa (Pty) Ltd.

Table 5.3 Summary of national policies (white papers) relevant to estuarine management (from Taljaard 2007).

White Paper Year Short Description White Paper for Sustainable 2000 This paper sets out a policy which aims to achieve sustainable coastal development in South Africa through Coastal Development in integrated coastal management. The key messages of the white paper are: 1) the value of the coast must be South Africa recognised, 2) sustainable coastal management must be facilitated; 3) the Coastal management must be co-ordinated and integrated; 4) the Government must adopt a co-operative style of management. White Paper on a National 1997 This paper sets out the policy for the management of both quality and quantity of South Africa’s water resources Water Policy for South Africa (including estuaries). The National Water Act (No. 36 of 1998) gives legal status to this White Paper. White Paper on Marine 1997 The White Paper sets out the main policy principles that the Department of environmental Affairs and Tourism will Fisheries Policy for South endeavour to implement through its marine fisheries management institutions in order to achieve this overall policy Africa objective. The objective is to improve the overall contribution of the fishing industry to the South Africa’s economy. The Marine Living Resources Act (No. 18 of 1998) gives legal status to this White Paper.

White Paper on 1998 The White Paper contains the government’s environmental management policy and includes an introduction that sets Environmental Management out the concept of environment used in the policy, the scope and purpose of the policy, new vision for environmental Policy policy and the mission of the DEAT with respect to the new policy, policy principles that must be applied in developing and testing policy, government's strategic goals and supporting objectives to begin sustainable use of resources, government's approach to governance, setting out the powers and responsibilities of the different spheres and agencies of government and the regulatory approach to environmental management. The National Environmental Management Act (No. 107 of 1998) gives legal status to this White Paper. White Paper on Spatial 2001 This White Paper addresses the development of policies, which will result in the best use and sustainable Planning and Land-use management of land, improvement and strengthening planning, management, monitoring and evaluation, Management strengthening institutions and coordinating mechanisms, creation of mechanisms to facilitate satisfaction of the needs and objectives of communities and people at local level. Sustainable land management plans should ensure that development and developmental programmes are holistic and comprehensive, all activities and inputs are integrated and coordinated, all actions are based on a clear understanding of the natural and legitimate objectives and needs of individual land users to obtain maximum consensus and institutional structures are put in place to develop debate and carry out proposals.

C.A.P.E. Estuaries Management Programme; Gamtoos Estuary Management Plan: Situation Assessment 14 Enviro-Fish Africa (Pty) Ltd.

Table 5.3 continued White Paper Year Short Description White Paper on Integrated 2002 This paper outlines a management approach that envisages pollution prevention, waste minimization, managing Pollution and Waste Management the environmental impacts associated with waste and pollution, remediating damaged environments and for South Africa integrating the management of various sources of waste. The white paper proposes a number of tools to implement the objectives, including a legislative programme that will culminate in new pollution and waste legislation. A National Waste Management Strategy, which will form the basis for translating the goals and objectives of this policy into practice, has also been developed. The National Environmental Management: Waste Management Bill will give legal status to this White Paper. White Paper on Development and 1996 The White Paper provides the government’s stance on Tourism and describes the following: Promotion of Tourism in South Role of tourism in South Africa Africa Problems around tourism Way towards a new tourism Vision, objectives and principles How to ignite tourism growth Roles of the key player, Organisational structures. Based on an assessment of the problems, constraints and opportunities facing the South African tourism industry, the concept of "Responsible Tourism" emerged as the most appropriate concept for the development of tourism in South Africa. White Paper on the Conservation 1998 South Africa's initial response to addressing the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity; it and Sustainable Use of South specifically recognises the importance of estuaries and commits the government to a number of strategies to Africa’s Biological Diversity protect these areas. The strategies suggested cut across a number of legislative sectors such as water law, resource conservation and planning. These include: facilitating the development of appropriate legislation to secure the conservation of South Africa’s wetlands, and to maintain their ecological and socio-economic function, promoting the establishment of a National System of Protected Wetlands, preventing inappropriate activities and development around wetlands, ensuring that adequate buffer strips are retained around wetlands, recognising the functions and values of wetlands in resource planning, management and decision-making, determining the impact of commercial, recreational and subsistence fishery practices on fisheries, fish, and their habitats, and develop guidelines for managing such fisheries. The National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act (No. 10 of 2004) gives legal status to this White Paper.

C.A.P.E. Estuaries Management Programme; Gamtoos Estuary Management Plan: Situation Assessment 15 Enviro-Fish Africa (Pty) Ltd.

Table 5.3 continued

White Paper Year Short Description Policy on Sustainable Forest 1997 This paper provides synergy to the three strains of Indigenous Forest Management, Commercial Forestry and Development in SA Community Forestry. Elements of the policy include: setting nine guiding principles, future goals and overall policy to govern the place of forestry in the management of land, water, and other natural resources This paper provides policy for: industrial forestry; community forestry; the conservation of our natural forests and woodland; South Africa's response to global concerns about forests; research, education and training; South Africa's relationships with states in the Southern African Development Community.

C.A.P.E. Estuaries Management Programme; Gamtoos Estuary Management Plan: Situation Assessment 16 Enviro-Fish Africa (Pty) Ltd.

5.3 REGIONAL LEGISLATION (Table 5.4)

Table 5.4 Summary of regional (provincial) legislation relevant to estuarine management.

Provincial Legislation Year Lead Agent Short Description

Municipal Ordinance (Cape of Good 1974 ? Grants local authorities in the Hope) (No. 20 of 1974) province of the Eastern Cape the power ‘to drain storm water into any natural water course’. To this end, a number of local authorities have passed by-laws. Ciskei Nature Conservation Act (Act 1987 ? There is presently no Eastern 10 of 1987) Cape conservation ordinance, but the old Cape Ordinance, Transkei Environmental 1992 ? the Ciskei Nature Conservation Decree 9 of 1992 Conservation Act, and the Transkei Environmental Conservation Decree are in force in their original areas of jurisdiction Eastern Cape Environmental 2002 ? The Bill aims to provide for Conservation Bill the consolidation of the laws (2002) relating to environmental conservation and the control of problem wild animals applicable in the Province, such as the Sea-shore Act (1935), Mountain Catchment Areas Act (1970), Environmental Conservation Act (1989) and the National Environmental Management Act (1998), provide for Provincial coastal management and regulate air quality and waste management in the Province.

Protected Areas Bill (Eastern Cape) 2002 ? The Bill aims to provide for (2002) the declaration of Provincial protected areas, establishment of Provincial Parks Board and the protection of wildlife in the Province.

In addition to the above legislation, the following restrictions, which have relevance to the Gamtoos and the EMP, were published in the Cape of Good Hope Gazette No. 357 of 1972 in accordance with Sections 49 and 50 of the Nature Conservation Ordinance (Ordinance 26 of

C.A.P.E. Estuaries Management Programme; Gamtoos Estuary Management Plan: Situation Assessment 17 Enviro-Fish Africa (Pty) Ltd.

1965). These restrictions are still applicable and should be enforced by the local authority and state that;

In the tidal waters of the Gamtoos River, no person shall, unless he is the holder of a permit authorizing him to do so, use – a. any boat or other craft which is propelled by an engine of more than 8.9 kilowatts, or b. any boat or other craft which is propelled by an engine of not more than 8.9 kilowatts for any purpose other than – i. the transportation of any appliance which can be used for catching fish; ii. angling; iii. traveling by the shortest route from one point to another point in order to anchor or off-load; or iv. drifting with the engine switched off.

This would essentially preclude any form of recreational power-boating (apart from engaging in fishing related activities) and would include water skiing and jet-skiing.

5.4 LOCAL (MUNICIPAL) LEGISLATION

The following Kouga Municipality Public Amenities By-Laws, as published in the Provincial Gazette Extraordinary, No. 1643 of 27 December 2006 are relevant to the Gamtoos and the EMP. By definition, a public amenity includes any public open space, land, resort, river/estuary and nature reserve, and any facility or apparatus therein, that is the property of or controlled or leased by the municipality.

• Notice boards may be erected that indicate times and conditions of entry/use, activities that may or may not be undertaken and fees payable; • Any activities may be suspended or an area closed (temporarily or permanently) for reasons of maintenance, development, security, safety and public health; • Any person may be refused entry or asked to leave a public amenity if they commit an offense or show intent to commit an offense; • No person may undertake an activity in contravention of a notice; • No person may erect a fence or structure of any kind without prior consent; • Permits may be issued to students or people undertaking research that allow the collection and removal of fauna and flora, soils and inorganic objects or items of historical importance provided these activities take place under the supervision or control of an official; • No person in or at a public amenity may; interfere with water flow, obstruct water, divert a stream or drain a wetland; burn refuse or dump any refuse or building materials; defecate or urinate except in a building intended for this purpose; disturb or hunt/kill any animal unless in possession of a permit; enter or leave other than by way of the official entry/exit point. • Vehicles may not be driven elsewhere than on a road constructed by the municipality; • No person may camp at a public amenity unless the area has been designated as a camping site; • All power-driven boats, jet propelled craft, sailing boats and boats in excess of 4 meters that wish operate on any river or estuary must pay the prescribed fee and be registered with the municipality; • The municipality may determine the number of boats that may be registered for any 12 month licensing period or the number of registrations issued per person;

C.A.P.E. Estuaries Management Programme; Gamtoos Estuary Management Plan: Situation Assessment 18 Enviro-Fish Africa (Pty) Ltd.

• Boats not in use must be securely anchored or moored in an area approved by the municipality; • No commercially registered boats, boats used for commercial purposes or boats exceeding 6.6 meters in length will be allowed without written permission from the municipality; • Power-driven vessels may not travel faster than a no-wake speed when passing within 10 meters of another vessel, a jetty, slipway or person; or during the period after sunset and before sunrise; • No powerboat, rowing or sailing regattas shall be permitted without written consent; • Boats may not operate in excess of no-wake speeds in a no-wake zone; • Jet propelled craft may only operate in areas that have been demarcated for their use and may only operate in the mouth when traversing to or from the sea; they may not operate in water shallower than 50 cm or on any mudbanks, salt marshes or ecologically sensitive sites; • No craft may be re-fuelled while on the water; • No person may camp, picnic or light a fire below the high-water mark; • No person may willfully or negligently pollute the estuary with fuel, oil, garbage, refuse, offal, bilge, sewerage or rubble; • Skiing is not allowed after sunset and before sunrise; may only take place in designated areas; and may not take place within 10 meters of another boat, jetty or slipway; • No person may scuba dive, spearfish or use nets other than a landing net or throw net.

6. EXISTING MANAGEMENT PLANS AND DEVELOPMENT STRATEGIES

6.1 GAMTOOS COASTAL RESERVE

A Reserve Management Plan was drafted by Fielding (2007) for the coastal reserve between the Gamtoos and Van Stadens estuaries. The reserve comprises State owned land and their does not appear to be any existing lease agreement between the State and the Kouga municipality. The reserve is currently not being actively managed and the proposed plan drafted by Fielding is yet to be recommended or adopted by representatives from the Cacadu District Municipality; Kouga Local Municipality; or DEDEA. The proximity of this reserve to the Gamtoos estuary mouth and the status of the adjacent municipal-run campsite will have a bearing on the management of the estuary and it is therefore vital that a reserve management plan is pursued and adopted.

6.2 GAMTOOS ESTUARY

There is currently no form of management plan or management forum for the Gamtoos estuary. Management related issues are discussed at meetings of the Joint River Committee which comprises representatives from the municipality and various stakeholder groups. The committee does however not have any authority to institute or enforce any aspects pertaining to estuary management. It appears to be more of an advisory committee that nevertheless appears to have some degree of influence with regards developments and ensuring that stakeholders are aware of their responsibilities with regards the estuary and its resources in relation to relevant legislation. It appears likely that this committee would form the basis of a fully constituted estuary management forum in the future.

6.3 KOUGA INTEGRATED DEVELOPMENT PLAN

C.A.P.E. Estuaries Management Programme; Gamtoos Estuary Management Plan: Situation Assessment 19 Enviro-Fish Africa (Pty) Ltd.

In terms of the Municipal Systems Act (Act 32 of 2000), all municipalities have to undertake an Integrated Development Plan (IDP) process to produce five year IDPs with legal status that supercedes all other plans that guide development at Local Government level. The vision of the Kouga IDP, which by default also applies to the SDF (see Section 6.4 below), is as follows:

Kouga, the jewel of the Eastern Cape, striving, through impeccable people-centered service delivery to ensure equity, harmony and prosperity for its entire people.

6.3.1 Objectives and strategies of the Kouga IDP and their relevance to the EMP

Socio-economic 1. Sustainable tourism that benefits all the people and grows by 5% for local tourism and 10% for foreign tourism by 2012. The tourism potential of the Gamtoos estuary must be exploited in a responsible manner via the implementation of the EMP. 2. Communities live in a clean environment that is maintained and managed in a sustainable manner by 2012. Strategies seem to indicate that this refers to a more effective solid waste management plan; this would benefit the Gamtoos estuary through prevention of illegal dumping along the banks. 3. Communities live in a safe and healthy environment that is managed in a sustainable manner. Strategies indicate that this deals with the identification, evaluation, control and monitoring of physical, biological, sociological and chemical environmental health hazards within the following areas, namely pest control, pollution control, disposal of the dead and disease control and includes a strategy to protect water resources through a water-sampling programme. The benefits of these actions may well accrue to the estuary, particularly if the water sampling programme incorporates the estuarine system. 4. Communities have access to social and recreational facilities that are well maintained and managed in an affordable manner. This would be achieved via increased investment (through the development, beautification and maintenance) in public open spaces. This has relevance to the Municipal camping site on the east bank at the estuary mouth. 5. Integration of environmental issues into municipal dialogue, thought processes and decision making. Strategies indicate this will be achieved through a functional environmental conservation unit with sufficient capacity and clearly defined roles and responsibilities that will create awareness and promote compliance with environmental legislation, policy and best practice guidelines in all sectors of the Municipality. Clearly this will have a direct application to the implementation and acceptance of an EMP for the Gamtoos. 6. Well managed, sustainably utilised natural resources. This will be achieved by developing EMPs and their associated monitoring systems, enforcing environmental legislation, promoting cooperative governance and enhancing awareness/education projects. Capacity with regards to law enforcement personnel will be increased from two to eight by 2012. Deadlines for EMPs are 2007/08 for the Gamtoos, 2008/09 for the Kromme, 2009/10 for the Seekoei and 2010/11 for the Kabeljoud. This project will ensure that the deadline for the Gamtoos is met and increased awareness and law enforcement capacity should help ensure its successful implementation. 7. Well managed, well maintained and optimally utilised nature reserves. Reserve management plans need to be developed and implemented to optimize benefits derived by local communities and tourists. Application to this project is the formal recognition of the coastal reserve between Gamtoos and Van Stadens and the consideration of a similar

C.A.P.E. Estuaries Management Programme; Gamtoos Estuary Management Plan: Situation Assessment 20 Enviro-Fish Africa (Pty) Ltd.

reserve between Gamtoos and Kabeljouws. In addition, the mouth region itself and the extensive wetlands on the eastern shore should be considered for some form of protection status. 8. Well managed and maintained public boat launch sites (beach and estuarine) and strict enforcement of off road vehicle regulations. This will be achieved through; the licensing and management of public launch sites and will include a code of conduct for jet-skis; and the development and implementation of a policy for off-road vehicle use. This is relevant due to the public slipway located near the Gamtoos mouth on the east bank and the management of vehicles (including 4x4s, quad bikes and motor cycles) on the beach and dune system at the mouth and in sensitive riparian areas adjacent to the estuary; jet- skis are currently banned on the estuary. 9. Control, monitoring and eradication plans are in place for prioritising the removal of alien invasive vegetation species. A strategy to achieve this will involve the development and implementation of an alien eradication programme, incorporating partnerships/agreements with private land owners. Apart from agricultural crops, there are extensive stands of alien vegetation within the riparian estuarine habitat, most notably prickly pear. While this is not seen as a major threat to the estuary itself, it is acknowledged that its eradication could create jobs. Care needs to be taken to ensure the stabilization of areas after removal to prevent bank erosion and collapse. 10. Kouga Municipality manages the available land in a sustainable manner that makes land available for development initiatives and economic growth that meets the legal requirements. One of the measurements of success is the increased number of council decisions that use the SDF as a guiding document to ensure effective land-use management. This is seen as vital to the successful implementation of the EMP as recommendations for the sustainable development of the Gamtoos estuary contained in the EMP will be incorporated into the SDF and ultimately the IDP.

Institutional transformation 1. Kouga Municipality has an organisational structure that is populated with suitable staff in order to successfully meet the targets set in the IDP. In order to achieve this, a strategy of staff recruitment and skills development aligned with service delivery targets is proposed. This is vital to increasing the capacity of personnel that will ultimately be responsible for the implementation of the EMP. 2. A credible, smart and user friendly IDP guides the operations and decisions of the Kouga Municipality. Strategies include the development of internal capacity amongst senior managers and an annual strategic review process. Both of these should contribute to the awareness and implementation of the EMP.

Financial viability and management 1. Kouga Municipality has sufficient resources to meet the project and operational requirements of the IDP through effectively sourcing and collecting both internal and external sources. Strategies include increasing revenue collection and enforcing credit control and debt collection policies. Relevance to the EMP is that funding may become available for implementation of management action plans and monitoring programmes that are the responsibility of the Municipality, e.g. law enforcement and water quality monitoring. 2. The available financial resources are managed in the most effective manner. A strategy of building a sustainable capital reserve has been proposed. Relevance to the EMP is the effective allocation and management of funds for implementation of the EMP.

C.A.P.E. Estuaries Management Programme; Gamtoos Estuary Management Plan: Situation Assessment 21 Enviro-Fish Africa (Pty) Ltd.

6.3.2 IDP projects and outputs relevant to the EMP

Social infrastructure and services 1. Project: Institutional capacity for effective waste management. Output 1: Review of by-laws for effective application; Output 2: Ensure sufficient and competent capacity. 2. Project: Implementation of a waste management strategy. Output 1: Development and operation of regional waste disposal site; Output 2: Construction of transfer stations. 3. Project: Beautification of Kouga. Output: Development and implementation of a maintenance plan for Public Open Spaces (POS). 4. Project: Heritage development and preservation. Output: Establish a heritage committee and audit all heritage sites. 5. Project: Effective environmental health services. Output: Regular water sampling.

Environmental management 1. Project: Mainstreaming of environmental management in the day to day business of the Municipality. Output: Increase in staff to form an efficient and properly functioning environmental conservation unit. 2. Project: Development and implementation and monitoring of mandatory environmental management plans and related legislation. Output 1: Develop and implement estuary management plans and monitoring system; Output 2: Develop and implement local municipal policy (dune management, POS management & vehicle use in the coastal zone); Output 3: Increase environmental law enforcement capacity; Output 4: Obtain/renew DEDEA licenses for Kouga public boat launch sites and implement launch site management plan; Output 5: Develop and implement code of conduct for jet-ski use in the coastal zone; Output 6: Eradication of alien invasive vegetation throughout Kouga; Output 7: Environmental education programmes. 3. Project: Effective management, maintenance and optimal utilisation of the nature reserves. Output 1: Develop and implement mandatory reserve management plans; Output 2: Create institutional arrangements and partnerships to share the responsibilities of reserve management; Output 3: Expand existing reserves.

Land and housing 1. Project: Develop a Spatial Development Framework that includes strategic guidance in respect of land use & spatial forms in a desired economic, geographic & demographic framework. Output 1: Formulation of SDF; Output 2: Provide a consolidated programme to monitor communal farming, housing, private & commercial developments; Output 3: Development of urban and rural development strategies/plans.

Institutional transformation 1. Project: Improved performance of the Municipality in terms of IDP objectives and targets. Output 1: Organogram of the Municipality is aligned to the service delivery targets and recruitment approach ensures competent appointees; Output 2: Skills development plan is implemented and reported on with training linked to service delivery targets.

Good governance & public participation 1. Project: Developing an effective and participatory government system. Output: Strategic development dialogues with selected stakeholders are scheduled for each quarter/annum.

C.A.P.E. Estuaries Management Programme; Gamtoos Estuary Management Plan: Situation Assessment 22 Enviro-Fish Africa (Pty) Ltd.

Financial viability & planning 1. Project: Expansion of existing sources of funding. Output: Investigate all possible funding sources, both internal and external.

6.4 GAMTOOS SPATIAL DEVELOPMENT FRAMEWORK

The Spatial Development Framework (SDF) is prepared, approved and implemented within the legislative context of the Local Government : Municipal Systems Act, 2000 (Act 32 of 2000) and the subsequent Local Government : Municipal Planning and Performance Management Regulations (Section 4), 2001 promulgated under Section 120 of the Local Government : Municipal Systems Act.

The SDF for the Gamtoos area forms part of the Kouga IDP which in turn forms part of the Cacadu District SDF. The SDF is one of the operational strategies of the IDP, and is closely linked and should function with the other operational strategies. The SDF further gives effect to Council’s vision for development and Council’s objectives and strategies with respect to land development and land use management.

6.4.1 Existing spatial form

The Gamtoos River Valley which encompasses the middle to upper reaches of the Gamtoos estuary north of the N2 is dominated by high intensity agricultural activities and a well developed irrigation system. The few primary urban nodes in this area are some distance from the estuary and its immediate surrounds. Development is limited to agricultural activities, a single minor urban node in the form of the Gamtoos River Mouth Resort and five public/private resorts in the form of Wacky Woods, The Ferry Hotel, Kingsway Caravan Park, Big Fish Camp and the Municipal camping site at the mouth. The Coastal Zone south of the N2 includes the lower reaches of the estuary including the mouth and adjacent beach/dune system. According to DWAF the Gamtoos estuary is a medium/large open system with water quality and aesthetics rated as fair and moderate respectively. The estuary itself does not play a major role in the tourism industry although the resorts along the eastern side do attract holiday makers, a portion of which utilize the goods and services provided by the estuary. Visiting anglers regularly make use of the slipways at these resorts for a pre-determined fee.

The Gamtoos Coastal Reserve is located to the east of the estuary mouth and is 972 hectares in extent. According to the STEP project, the Gamtoos River Valley is one of only six corridors in the South Eastern Cape extending from the coast to the inland mountains that is critical to the survival of the region’s biodiversity.

6.4.2 SDF Objectives, guidelines, planning principles & policies

The Cacadu District Municipality SDF (which has been used to guide the Gamtoos SDF) and the Gamtoos SDF itself provides guidelines, planning principles and policies for future public and private development to help achieve the SDF’s objectives and the desired spatial form.

SDF objectives with relevance to the EMP 1. To apply the planning principles, development policies and objectives and guidelines with respect to all developments within the study area as outlined in the SDF. 2. To encourage and promote positive development within strict environmental guidelines and control.

C.A.P.E. Estuaries Management Programme; Gamtoos Estuary Management Plan: Situation Assessment 23 Enviro-Fish Africa (Pty) Ltd.

3. To encourage and implement environmental legislation with specific reference to the STEP program.

Development and land-use guidelines from the Cacadu SDF relevant to the EMP 1. Development of existing nodes is encouraged. 2. Encourage environmentally sustainable land development practices and processes. 3. Tourism and recreational activities should protect the natural and cultural environments. 4. Rehabilitation of systems that have been degraded through inappropriate development and land-use practices. 5. No development in the 1:50 year flood line without appropriate studies. 6. Encourage eradication of alien vegetation. 7. Discourage grazing and ploughing of sensitive ecosystems such as dunes, wetlands and estuaries. 8. Implement and enforce Integrated Environmental Management protocols in accordance with NEMA. 9. The following additional environmental policies; a. The preservation of representative habitats and ecologically significant ecosystems within a network of conservation areas, especially within the coastal zone. b. To make conservation accessible and meaningful to the entire population. c. Appropriate use of the coastline, i.e. balancing conservation with development. d. Adherence and enforcement of the National Heritage Resources Act (Act 25 of 1999). e. The following environmentally sensitive areas should be protected from development, namely state forests; dune forests; systems and estuaries; land within 30 metres from water courses; land along major river systems including the Gamtoos River; game reserves and nature sanctuaries; steep slopes greater than 1:6; historic heritage sites; and water catchment areas.

Planning principles of the Gamtoos SDF that will guide the desired spatial form and that are relevant to the EMP 1. Promoting the integration of the social, economic, institutional and physical aspects of land development. 2. Optimising the use of existing resources. 3. Encouraging environmentally sustainable land development practices and processes. 4. Planning should ensure that development does not cause irretrievable loss to significant natural, historical, cultural and archaeological resources or other important environmental assets. 5. Where the demand for development will breach the principles of sustainable development it should not be approved. Where there is uncertainty about the impacts of a development the precautionary principle should be applied. 6. Ensure the safe utilisation of land by taking into consideration factors such as geological formations and areas prone to flooding. 7. The Kouga Municipality should discourage the illegal use of land. 8. Each proposed land development area should be judged on its own merits and no particular use of land should in advance or in general be regarded as being less important or desirable than any other use of land. 9. Development should not be permitted if it will; a. Damage or degrade valuable natural resources and/or sensitive ecosystems such as wetlands, rivers, streams and estuaries, sensitive dune areas, sensitive coastal areas, special plant communities and habitats of threatened species of fauna and flora;

C.A.P.E. Estuaries Management Programme; Gamtoos Estuary Management Plan: Situation Assessment 24 Enviro-Fish Africa (Pty) Ltd.

b. Cause unacceptable visual damage; c. Cause unacceptable pollution of air, water or land, or nuisance by way of smell, noise or light; d. Cause or increase danger, from flooding, erosion or road traffic; e. Destroy, sterilize or prejudice the use or enjoyment of an important resource; f. Be inefficient in the use of water or other natural resources, or impose an unacceptable load on existing or potential water supplies and other natural resources.

Land-use policies of the SDF relevant to the EMP Marine Resources 1. All development along the coastline should be subjected to the environmental impact procedure. 2. Development should enhance conservation with minimal or no visual impact from the beach. 3. As a general policy, development should not take in the place primary dune zone and unstable dune areas. 4. Ensure access to resources for local communities. 5. The utilization of marine resources should always be based on the principle of sustainability and long-term economic viability.

Estuaries 1. Further and future development adjacent to estuaries/river mouths, including subdivision, should as a general policy not be permitted. 2. In exceptional cases where the development of and along river mouths can be implemented in a sustainable manner, a detailed environmental impact assessment should be carried out. 3. General activity in and around river mouths should be carefully monitored and based on environmental management strategies and plans.

Rivers 1. New developments, as a general rule, should not be permitted below the 1 in 100 year flood line; in exceptional cases where development does take place, permanent structures should not be erected. 2. New developments along the river should be limited to existing development and/or recreation nodes. 3. All new developments along the river should be subject to a detailed environmental impact assessment with specific input from the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry.

Hinterland 1. General conservation principles and conservation legislation should apply to all developments. 2. Tourism and resort developments within the rural area and hinterland should always have a positive spin off towards environmental conservation.

Resort development 1. Resort development should only be permitted based on the resource orientated approach. 2. Resort development supported by Council should, as a spin-off, enhance conservation with adequate environmental management strategies and plans in place.

C.A.P.E. Estuaries Management Programme; Gamtoos Estuary Management Plan: Situation Assessment 25 Enviro-Fish Africa (Pty) Ltd.

Residential development 1. Residential/housing development should take place within the urban edge.

Business/Commercial 1. Business/commercial related land use should be confined to the core urban areas and secondary/lower order nodes.

Industrial 1. The establishment of industries, warehousing and manufacturing trades should be encouraged in urban nodes. 2. The establishment of industrial nodes in the rural area should not be permitted as a general rule. 3. Establishment of industries outside the urban edge should in exceptional cases be carefully considered with respect to the rural character, visual impact and traffic generation.

Strategic Environmental Impact Assessment One of the key deliverables of a SDF is a strategic assessment of the environmental impact of specific land uses and development proposals. The study area for the Gamtoos SDF falls within the boundaries of two strategic environmental studies, namely the STEP and the Baviaans Kloof Mega Reserve projects. All proposed developments need to be strategically assessed within the framework and guidelines of these two studies while also fulfilling the requirements of the EIA Regulations as promulgated under NEMA.

6.4.3 Desired spatial form

Spatial development principles relevant to the EMP 1. Apply the development objectives and land use management polices and guidelines referred to in Section 6.4.2 with respect to all developments within the study area. 2. Encourage positive development within strict environmental guidelines and control. 3. Support and promote infrastructure to serve the communities of the valley, the agricultural industry and tourism industry. 4. Carefully consider proposed coastal development and development in sensitive areas. 5. Strictly implement the nodal development policy and strengthening of existing nodes. 6. Support limited development along the coastal strip between the Kabeljauws River and Van Stadens River Mouth south of the N2 National Road, subject to environmental approval and strict environmental guidelines 1. 7. Implement and support the recommendations from the STEP programme and the Greater Baviaans Kloog Mega Reserve initiative, with specific reference to conservation corridors. 8. Encourage and align SDF development with tourism development plans and strategies.

Gamtoos River Mouth The Gamtoos River Mouth settlement is the only node on the coastal strip between the Kabeljauws River and the Van Stadens River Mouth. Future development and expansion of this node should be limited and should only be supported based on strict environmental impact assessment procedures and studies. The environmental sensitivity of the area and

1 It is the opinion of this report that this principle needs to revised to prevent development along this coastal zone and ensure compliance with the NEM: Integrated Coastal Management Bill.

C.A.P.E. Estuaries Management Programme; Gamtoos Estuary Management Plan: Situation Assessment 26 Enviro-Fish Africa (Pty) Ltd. accessibility of the facilities (campsite and slipway) for day visitors should be preserved. Residential development should be restricted to the eastern side of the river mouth.

Coastal Zone The coastal zone is classified as the area between the Kabeljauws River and Van Stadens River south of the R102. The coastal zone is characterized by an undeveloped coastal strip (with the exception of the Gamtoos River Mouth Village) which includes sensitive coastal dune fields. Future development of this area should only be permitted within the land use management policies and guidelines described in Section 6.4.2 above. The following development parameters should apply for development applications within the zone:

1. All development should be subject to an environmental impact assessment procedure and be subject to approval and support from the Department of Economic Development and Environmental Affairs. 2. Development should be restricted to low density resort type developments with associated uses such as possible recreation facilities, eco-tourism, low density residential accommodation, etc. 3. High density residential development should not be permitted in this zone. 4. Sensitive coastal areas and dune fields should be avoided and low development density should be maintained. 5. Visual impact of development in this zone should be minimized. 6. All future development in this zone should take cognisance of the Baviaans Kloof Mega Reserve initiative and subsequent expansion zones and conservation corridors.

Gamtoos River Valley The Gamtoos River Valley area is classified as the land portions north and south of the Gamtoos River from the R102 north-west towards the Baviaans Kloof Nature area. These are mostly low lying areas and under high intensity agricultural use. Development in support of the tourism and the agriculture industry within this zone should be supported, subject to availability of services and adherence to the land use management guidelines and policies described in Section 6.4.2 above. The following development parameters would apply for development within the Gamtoos River Valley zone:

1. The primary nodes of Patensie, Hankey and Loerie should be strengthened and developed to accommodate future urbanisation and residential need within the valley. 2. Development within the Gamtoos River Valley zone should be subject to the land use management guidelines and policies with specific reference to no development within the 1:100 floodline and conservation of prime and unique agricultural land and soils. 3. Tourism related developments within the valley area should be environmentally sensitive and contribute towards economic upliftment of the area.

Highlying Hinterland This area is situated to the north and south of the valley. The terrain is characterized by steep valleys and drainage features with a number of nature areas and reserves. The hinterland area provides good opportunities for eco-tourism and related activities and these types of development should be encouraged within environmental management guidelines. Expansion of the Greater Baviaans Kloof Mega Reserve and expansion corridors should be taken into consideration when development is adjudicated. These highlying areas play an important role with respect to the catchment of the Gamtoos River and control and management of alien vegetation within the catchment should be carefully monitored.

C.A.P.E. Estuaries Management Programme; Gamtoos Estuary Management Plan: Situation Assessment 27 Enviro-Fish Africa (Pty) Ltd.

7. GOODS & SERVICES PROVIDED BY THE GAMTOOS ESTUARY

The following section provides a brief description of the existing goods and services provided by the estuary and any proposed changes or additions as alluded to by stakeholders. Additional information with regards economic value as determined by Turpie and Clarke (2007) is also provided.

The majority of land within the Gamtoos Valley and floodplain is zoned as agricultural and a variety of high-intensity, irrigation dependant farming activities take place, including crops such as citrus, potatoes, carrots, maize, wheat and kukuyu-rye grass. Aerial photographs clearly show the extent to which the land adjacent to the estuary has been altered to accommodate these activities (Figures 7.1 & 7.2). The extent to which land is farmed on the eastern shores in the lower and middle reaches is restricted by the steep slopes nearby and the extensive wetlands near the mouth. Land to the west in the middle and lower reaches and on both sides in the upper reaches are almost exclusively under crops.

The Gamtoos Mouth Resort (Figure 7.1) is recognized as an urban node in the SDF and comprises in the region of 500 erven of which 120 have been developed thus far. No municipal services apart from water are provided; the sewerage system comprises septic tanks with soak-aways; all solid waste is burnt in excavated tips and stormwater is allowed to drain away naturally.

The municipal camp site (Figure 7.1) occupies approximately 33 hectares at the mouth but is in a poor state of repair. Sewerage is collected in conservancy tanks that are serviced by the municipality on an irregular basis; stormwater is allowed to drain away naturally; solid waste is collected in waste bins that are also emptied on an ad hoc basis by the municipality.

There are four additional resort-type developments all within the middle to lower reaches of the estuary on the east bank (Figure 7.1). The Kingsway Caravan Park comprises 70-odd private residences but an application to develop an additional 80 sites has been submitted to the authorities. Sewerage is currently treated via septic tanks but any additional developments will be serviced by conservancy tanks; stormwater drains away naturally into the ground or into the wetland bordering the estuary; solid waste is burnt on site and glass products are collected for recycling. The Big Fish Camp is a recent development and provides accommodation for holiday makers. There are plans to expand this development in the future but no application has been submitted at this time. Sewerage is collected in conservancy tanks that are serviced by the municipality; solid waste is burnt on site and glass products are collected for recycling; stormwater drains away naturally into the ground or the estuary. The Ferry Hotel complex is currently being renovated and upon completion should provide accommodation for approximately 40 people in the hotel itself and a maximum of 270 in the caravan park section. Plans for sewerage include a dedicated treatment plant on site with treated water being used for irrigation; currently the conservancy tanks are serviced by a private company and solid waste is collected in tips that are emptied by a private concern; stormwater is allowed to drain away naturally or run into the estuary. The Wacky Woods Resort is another recent development and comprises a single lodge and 14 sites for caravans or camping. There are no plans for expanding the operation. Solid waste is burnt on site; sewerage is drained by septic tanks; stormwater is allowed to drain away naturally or run into the estuary.

C.A.P.E. Estuaries Management Programme; Gamtoos Estuary Management Plan: Situation Assessment 28 Enviro-Fish Africa (Pty) Ltd.

Slipways 3: part of Big Fish Caravan Park; Gamtoos Resorts and Slipways 1: part of Wacky Woods; R20 per launch, free for residents dysfunctional 4: part of Kingsway; residents 2: part of Ferry Hotel; R30 per only, free Slipways 1-7 launch, will change to residents 5: part of private ERF; free, R200 for outsiders dysfunctional Wacky Woods Lodge with campsite Sewage : septic tanks 1 Waste : burned on site Storm water : natural run off Bank stabilization planned

2 Ferry Hotel Lodge with campsite Sewage : conservancy tank, serviced 6: part of Gamtoos Mouth Resort; by private company, sewage plant R30 per year, residents only planned 7: part of Gamtoos Mouth Reserve; Waste : collected by private company R30 per day Storm water : natural run off Bank stabilization planned Big Fish Caravan Park 3 Campsite Sewage : conservancy tank, Gamtoos Mouth Resort serviced by Loery municipality 4 Private residence Waste : burned on site, glass 6 Sewage : septic tanks recycled Waste : burned on site Storm water : natural run off 5 Storm water : drains in 7 certain areas Kingsway Private residence Gamtoos Mouth Reserve Sewage : septic tanks, Municipal campsite conservancy for new units Sewage : conservancy tanks Waste : burned on site, glass Waste : collected by Koega recycled municipality (irregular) Storm water : natural run off Storm water : natural run off

Figure 7.1 Existing land-use around the Gamtoos estuary and location of resorts, urban settlements and launch sites.

C.A.P.E. Estuaries Management Programme; Gamtoos Estuary Management Plan: Situation Assessment 29 Enviro-Fish Africa (Pty) Ltd.

Three caravans Wooden house Wooden hut Gamtoos Jetties Part of farmland Part of farmland Part of farmland and other structures Stairs to water Caravan on site Stairs to water Possibly illegal Possibly illegal Possibly illegal

Jetties 1-4 1 Other structures

2 Trench Part of farmland 8-12m wide; drainage of cattle manure

Pipeline Part of farmland PVC ~ 20cm Ø No outfall when visited

3 4 Jetties 1: part of wooden house; possibly illegal 2: part of Ferry Hotel; to be reconstructed 3: part of Kingsway; well maintained 4: part of Kingsway; well maintained

Figure 7.2 Jetties and other structures on the Gamtoos estuary.

C.A.P.E. Estuaries Management Programme; Gamtoos Estuary Management Plan: Situation Assessment 30 Enviro-Fish Africa (Pty) Ltd.

There are seven slipways on the estuary (Figure 7.1), two of which are currently not in use; the dysfunctional slipway associated with the Wacky Woods resort will in all likelihood be upgraded sometime in the near future. The slipway at the municipal campsite is the only public launch site, but up till now non-residents and day visitors have also been allowed access to launch at the Ferry Hotel and Big Fish Camp for a nominal fee. The slipways at Kingsway and the Mouth Resort are for the exclusive use of residents.

There are currently only four jetties located on the estuary (Figure 7.2). It would appear as if most recreational users either take their boats out the water after each day; stay anchored in the channel and sleep on board; or tie-up at poles driven into the substrate close to the bank. Two pile-driven jetties are located adjacent to the Kingsway Caravan Park and these appear to be well maintained; a single combination pile-driven and floating jetty is located outside the Ferry Hotel but it is in a poor state of repair and it is the intention of the owners to apply for authorization to renovate the structure; the final jetty is located high in the upper reaches and appears to be linked to a private residence and a stairway built into the bank (see below).

Two bridges cross the estuary in the middle reaches and facilitate traffic traveling on the N2 and R102 (Figure 7.2). The N2 bridge is closest to the mouth, approximately one kilometer north of Big Fish Camp and the R102 bridge passes immediately south of the Ferry Hotel. A water supply pipeline also spans the estuary immediately north of the N2 bridge. In the upper reaches, close to the extent of the river-estuary interface, a railway bridge also spans the system.

Other features or structures of note (Figure 7.2) include a 200 mm diameter PVC outfall pipe which is thought to drain excess water from the wetlands located on farm land to the west of the estuary; an eroded drainage channel between 8 & 12 m wide located next to the R102 bridge on the west bank – it appears to facilitate the drainage of cattle manure from nearby buildings and farm land and could also possibly receive a good deal of surface water runoff from the R102 itself; in the vicinity of the jetty located in the upper reaches there are three caravans next to the estuary with a stairway built down to the waters edge, a wooden house with a caravan and another smaller wooden hut with a second set of stairs leading down to the water and the jetty – the legality of these structures is in question.

Many sections of the estuary bank on both sides of the channel are severely eroded due to a combination of destabilization due to overgrazing; cattle accessing the estuary to drink; ploughing too close to the edge; wave damage from wind driven waves; and to a lesser extent boat wakes. Attempts to stabilize this damage have been undertaken at several sites where stone and rubble have been dumped on site. Rehabilitation of the banks is not seen as a high priority issue, but if attempted should be done under the authority and guidance of DEDEA and an estuarine specialist.

8. EXPLOITATION OF LIVING RESOURCES

This section describes the historical and present exploitation of the living resources in the estuary. Information was obtained via an extensive desktop study and from interviews with key stakeholders conducted telephonically or by email. A snapshot field survey was conducted (5 th - 9 th November 2007) to ground-truth the information from the above sources; the following activities were undertaken: • Meetings were held with owners and/or managers of all of the resorts.

C.A.P.E. Estuaries Management Programme; Gamtoos Estuary Management Plan: Situation Assessment 31 Enviro-Fish Africa (Pty) Ltd.

• A boat excursion was conducted to familiarize ourselves with the estuary and the locations of fishing and bait collecting areas. • A meeting was held with representatives from DEAT:MCM, DEDEA and the municipality to discuss resource use and possible management strategies. • MCM appointed catch monitors for the estuary were interviewed to obtain current information on the fishery and bait collecting activities. • Members of the local angling club and various competitive angling associations were interviewed to discuss the state of the fishery and bait collecting as well as possible future management strategies.

8.1 CURRENT SITUATION

Restrictions published under the old Cape of Good Hope Ordinance and Municipal bylaws pertaining to use and conduct within public amenities (see Sections 5.3 and 5.4) essentially prohibit all forms of recreational power boating activities, including water-skiing and jet- skiing, except those associated with fishing. Therefore, besides bird watching, canoeing and possibly wind surfing, all recreational activities on the system itself are aimed at exploiting its living resources.

8.1.1 Description of the fishery Up to the early 1980’s, the recreational fishery was underdeveloped and Marais (1983) presumed that due to the abundance of natural prey items, and few boats, catches in the Gamtoos Estuary were not good and consequently, the estuary was not widely considered to be a premier angling destination. More recently however, there has been a turnaround in the linefishery as light tackle boat anglers started specifically targeting, and catching, large dusky kob. By 1994, this river was considered a mecca for the capture of large individuals of this species (Salmo 1994).

During 1996 and 1997, Pradervand and Baird (2002) conducted a fisheries survey in eight Cape estuaries including the Gamtoos. Dusky kob (42%) was the most dominant species in the Gamtoos Estuary fishery, followed by the spotted grunter (34%) and cape stumpnose (7%). More dusky kob were captured in the Gamtoos estuary than any other and the mean size of both dusky kob and spotted grunter were larger than in any of the other estuaries sampled. Dusky kob were significantly larger in the Gamtoos during late winter and autumn (July to October) when compared to the rest of the year.

From 1997 to 2001 the old Western District Council (WDC) collected fisheries data from the Gamtoos using a catch card system (see Wood 2004 for a more detailed analysis). Spotted grunter were numerically the most important catch, with 744 being caught, of which <50% (337) were above the minimum legal size. Dusky kob were next (597) followed by white sea- barbel (312) and Cape stumpnose (109). The majority of kob (425) were above legal size (400 mm total length), with approximately 25 fish estimated to be between 25 and 40 kg, and one individual of 67 kg Wood (2004). These figures must be considered conservative as not all anglers completed catch cards and not all fish were recorded when catches comprised undersized specimens.

Since March 2007, two DEAT:MCM affiliated catch monitors have been collecting catch data from the Gamtoos which is currently being held in its raw form in East London. At present MCM has no service provider to capture the data, and all of this, as well as information from other estuaries and inshore regions is inaccessible in its present form.

C.A.P.E. Estuaries Management Programme; Gamtoos Estuary Management Plan: Situation Assessment 32 Enviro-Fish Africa (Pty) Ltd.

The fishery consists of a recreational boat, recreational shore and subsistence sector. Pradervand and Baird (2002) showed that 64 % of the anglers on the Gamtoos Estuary were boat anglers. While these authors did not differentiate between subsistence and recreational fishers, they did observe that 4.6 % and 8.9 % of the shore fishers were black and colored, respectively, suggesting that a subsistence fishery may have already been operating at this time. During the snapshot study by Wood (2004) a higher proportion of boat anglers (80 %), fewer recreational shore anglers (15 %) and a small group of subsistence fishers (5 %) were observed. Recent information from the catch monitors confirms that recreational boat anglers are by far the most important users on the estuary. However, they indicated that there are at least 35 – 40 black or colored individuals that fish in the estuary, with only 15 - 17 of these individuals possessing valid subsistence permits.

The majority of recreational anglers come from the Port Elizabeth, Uitenhage and Despatch area, with smaller percentages from Jeffreys Bay, Humansdorp, St. Francis Bay, Cape St. Francis and Plettenberg Bay. During December and April, a proportion of the recreational fishers come from further away, including Gauteng and the Free State. The subsistence users hail from the immediate vicinity of the Gamtoos estuary from the nearby villages of Thornhill, Hankey, Loerie and Jeffries Bay. Estimates from interviews by Wood (2004) showed that 95% of the anglers at Gamtoos are white and 5% other races.

There is a short history of fishing for crabs in the Gamtoos Estuary. The Cape Department of Nature Conservations’ issue of permits for the use of crab nets in the early 1980’s (Heinecken 1981) suggested that there was an abundant crab ( Scylla serrata ) population. More recently, however, no mention or evidence of a crab fishery can be found.

8.1.2 Fishing effort Despite its peri urban location, there appears to be a significant amount of boat fishing effort on the Gamtoos estuary. Of the eight Eastern Cape Estuaries sampled by Pradervand & Baird (2002) this estuary had the third highest mean number of boat anglers on weekends, but the lowest mean number of boat anglers on weekdays; this can be attributed to its rural location. They showed that boat fishing effort was significantly higher on weekend (9.6 anglers/day) than on weekdays (4.4 anglers/day). Wood (2004) reported that local residents generally fish during the week to avoid crowds and fish for an estimated 2 - 5 days per month, while part- time residents fish for 3 - 4 days per month. In comparison, the competitive LTB anglers fish mostly on weekends and on average for 4 days a month. Fishing effort is far greater during competitions with up to 100 boats on the river for between two days per month (league competitions), or seven days per month (angling week and the Gamtoos 1000). Information obtained from the catch monitors concurs with the above findings, who found a distinct increase in fishing pressure from the boat sector on weekends.

At present, no water-skiing, jet-skiing or powerboating (unless for fishing purposes) is allowed on the Gamtoos River. This suggests that all boating activities on the system are aimed at exploiting its living resources. An annual boat registration fee of R65.00 is required for the Gamtoos. Municipal records show that the number of registered boats on the Gamtoos increased by 10 % annually between 1998 and 2001. The recent boat registration information was not available from the municipality, but considering the 10 % annual increase, the estimated number of registered boats for the 2006/2007 year is 1150. However, given that MCM and the WDC suggested that approximately 30% of the boats on the river were

C.A.P.E. Estuaries Management Programme; Gamtoos Estuary Management Plan: Situation Assessment 33 Enviro-Fish Africa (Pty) Ltd. unregistered (Wood, 2004), it is estimated that approximately 1500 boats could have been used on this estuary during the 2006/2007 period.

Shore angling effort in the Gamtoos Estuary is not as significant as boat angling. Compared with other Easten Cape estuaries, the Gamtoos had the fourth highest mean number of shore anglers (9.1 anglers/day) on weekends, but the lowest mean number of shore anglers on weekdays (1.0 anglers/day) (Pradervand and Baird 2002).

It must be noted that since the surveys conducted by Pradervand and Baird (2002) and Wood (2004) there has been a significant increase in the number of developments along the estuary and as such the numbers of anglers and hence the fishing pressure has in all likelihood increased substantially, particularly during the week and during peak holiday periods.

8.1.3 Distribution of fishing effort While all of the previous studies did not indicate the distribution of fishing effort along the length of the estuary, information collected from recreational fishers, competitive anglers and the catch monitors during the recent snapshot survey suggested that 70 % of the recreational boat fishing effort occurs between the mouth and approximately 3 km upriver and an estimated 99 % of fishing effort occurs between the mouth and 14 km upriver (Figure 8.1). Recreational shore fishing effort occurs mostly at sites where fishers can readily access the shore. Due to the limited access on the western shore, which is mostly privately owned farmland, shore fishing areas are almost exclusively on the eastern shore. Most shore fishing occurs near the Gamtoos Mouth Resort, the Kingsway Caravan Park, Big Fish Camp, the area near the R102 bridge (approximately 7 km upstream from the mouth), the Ferry Hotel, the Wacky Woods Resort and a small area with fishing shacks approximately 17 km upriver from the mouth (Figure 8.2). Subsistence fishing is concentrated around the entrance of the blind lagoon into the estuary near the mouth, but also occurs in the vicinity of the R102 bridge where access is not restricted due to privately owned land (Figure 8.2).

8.1.4 Catch per unit effort Compared with the other 7 estuaries surveyed by Pradervand and Baird (2002), the cpue of dusky kob (0.04 fish.angler -1.hr -1) was the highest in the Gamtoos estuary. In contrast, the cpue of spotted grunter (0.03 fish.angler -1.hr -1) was the lowest and far below the overall average from all sampled systems. The catch card information collected by the WDC showed far lower values in the region of 0.00004 fish.angler -1.hr -1 for both dusky kob and spotted grunter (Wood 2004). However, it is uncertain whether this marked reduction in cpue is due to different sampling protocols or due to reduced catches or both. With the exception of the competitive anglers, the overriding opinion was that the fishery has deteriorated considerably over recent years.

8.1.5 Bait fishery Bait organisms in the Gamtoos Estuary are targeted by recreational boat, recreational shore, subsistence and rock and surf anglers. Wood (2004) indicated that only 40% of recreational fishers use baits other than those obtained from the estuary. These include pilchard, squid and other natural baits (sand prawn, mud prawn) which have been brought from other estuaries. These anglers as well as the remaining 60% and the rock and surf fishers all collect bait from the estuary. During estuary fishing competitions, Wood (2004) suggested that pilchard and mudprawn are the most common baits for the recreational anglers, but sandprawn, pencilbait, bloodworm (from Kromme estuary), chokka, live mullet and sand mussel were also used.

C.A.P.E. Estuaries Management Programme; Gamtoos Estuary Management Plan: Situation Assessment 34 Enviro-Fish Africa (Pty) Ltd.

Gamtoos Information provided by Gamtoos angling club Recreational boat fishing effort

70% effort

29% effort

1% effort

Slipways

Information provided by catch monitor

High effort Low effort

Medium effort Very low effort

Figure 8.1 Distribution of recreational boat fishing effort and a detailed breakdown of effort in the lower reaches (inset).

C.A.P.E. Estuaries Management Programme; Gamtoos Estuary Management Plan: Situation Assessment 35 Enviro-Fish Africa (Pty) Ltd.

Gamtoos Shore fishing effort 1

1 - 6 and 8 Recreational effort

3 4 and 7 Subsistence effort 2 4

5

6

7

7 8

Information provided by catch monitor

Figure 8.2 Distribution of recreational and subsistence shore-based fishing effort.

C.A.P.E. Estuaries Management Programme; Gamtoos Estuary Management Plan: Situation Assessment 36 Enviro-Fish Africa (Pty) Ltd.

The catch monitors indicated that the subsistence fishers mostly targeted spotted grunter and they fished almost exclusively with mud prawn, sand prawn and sand mussel. Of all of the baits collected in the estuary, rock and surf anglers predominantly use sand prawn and live bait. During 2001, data was collected on the bait used in the estuarine angling week competition. The main bait organisms recorded were live mullet, with 819 being netted over the 7 day period, and 1 543 mudprawn, followed by 755 sandprawn, 70 sand mussel, 30 pencilbait and 14 bloodworm Wood (2004). Anglers seldom admit to exceeding their quotas, and the numbers of mudprawn and sandprawn were likely to have been higher. The sand mussel was collected in the surf adjacent to the Gamtoos mouth, while the pencilbait and bloodworm were collected at the Kromme Estuary. Only 14 anglers used pilchard during the week. Together with Pradervand (1988), anecdotal information and incomplete catch card data from previous years’ Gamtoos competitions indicated that live mullet were the most important bait item followed by mudprawn, sandprawn, sandmussel, bloodworm, pencilbait, chokka, pilchard, cuttlefish and octopus in that order. Mackensie (2005) recognized that sandprawn was the preferred bait organism for many rock and surf angling species in the Gamtoos region. Sand prawn was also the most heavily exploited bait in the Gamtoos region and anglers each used an average of nine sandprawns per day in this region.

8.1.6 Distribution of bait collecting effort Bait collection effort is largely focused around the lower reaches of the estuary. Recreational boat fishers mostly collect their sand prawn, pencil bait and livebait on the sand flats near the river mouth (Figure 8.3). Mud prawn are obtained further upriver from the confluence with the Gamtoos Lagoon. A limited number of bloodworm are also present and are collected occasionally in the mouth region. Bait collecting by recreational shore fishers is restricted to areas of easy access. The Gamtoos Lagoon, the area that it enters the estuary channel and the estuary banks are their primary bait collection zones (Figure 8.3). The Kingsway Caravan Park prohibits residents from bait collecting on the mudbanks immediately in front of the resort but this not legally enforceable. Subsistence fishers focus their bait collection near the confluence of the estuary and the Gamtoos Lagoon (Figure 8.3). In addition, they collect mud prawn on the mud banks between the confluence and the R102 bridge. The rock and surf fishers collect bait in the Gamtoos Lagoon and near the river mouth.

Unlike large, open systems in built-up areas (e.g. Kowie and Swartkops), there is no notable subsistence bait fishery at the Gamtoos and recreational anglers mostly collect their own bait on site. A few stakeholders (including the catch monitors and resort representatives) were concerned that some locals were exploiting sand mussel along the coast and selling it to estuarine anglers 2. None of the resorts or settlements offer a bait collection service to guests.

8.1.7 Resorts and settlements There are five main sites available for accommodating anglers at the estuary, namely (i) the Wacky Woods Resort, with a camping area, river access and boat mooring points, (ii) the Ferry Hotel with its slipway, jetty and adjacent caravan site, (iii) Kingsway Caravan Park with a slipway, two jetties and a large settlement, (iv) Big Fish Camp with camping facilities and a slipway, and (v) Gamtoos Mouth Resort, with a slipway, camping facilities and a large urban settlement (see Figures 7.1 and 7.2). In addition, there are private shacks and a jetty approximately 16 km upriver on a farmer’s property.

2 A similar situation is seen at the Sundays estuary, where residents pay locals to collect sand mussel.

C.A.P.E. Estuaries Management Programme; Gamtoos Estuary Management Plan: Situation Assessment 37 Enviro-Fish Africa (Pty) Ltd.

Gamtoos Bait collecting effort

Recreational effort

Recreational and subsistence effort 1

1: Sand-prawn 2: Mud-prawn 3: Mud-prawn, pencil bait 4: Sand-prawn, live bait 2 5: Sand-prawn, pencil bait, live bait, bloodworm 6: Sand-prawn

3 4

6 5

Information provided by catch monitor and Gamtoos angling club

Figure 8.3 Distribution of recreational and subsistence bait collecting effort in the Gamtoos estuary.

C.A.P.E. Estuaries Management Programme; Gamtoos Estuary Management Plan: Situation Assessment 38 Enviro-Fish Africa (Pty) Ltd.

8.1.8 Current and proposed fisheries regulations Linefish and bait regulations that apply to the Gamtoos River are presented in Table 8.1 together with proposed local restrictions aimed at further conserving these national resources. In addition to these regulations, no fish captured in the estuary may be sold for any purpose.

Table 8.1 National linefish and bait regulations and proposed local regulations for the Gamtoos Estuary. Common Name Fish Species Size Bag Other proposed regulations limit Limit Cape stumpnose Rhabdosargus holubi 20cm 5 Shad Pomotomus saltatrix 30cm 4* Leervis Lichia amia 70cm 2 Dusky kob Argyrosomus japonicus 60cm 1 Closed Maximum season size limit Mullets None 50 Ragged tooth Carcharhinus taurus None 1 shark Spotted grunter Pomadasys 40cm 5 commersonnii Springer Elops machnata None 5 White steenbras Lithognathus 60cm 1

lithognathus fishing on night Ban area Closed Common Name Shellfish and Bait Size Bag Other and proposed regulations Species limits Limits Bloodworm Arenicola spp. None 5 by hand, suction pump or wire Cuttlefish Sepia spp. None 2 by hand or line Mud crab Scylla serrata 140mm by hand or line, no females in berry may be kept Tape and flat Annelida spp. None 10 by hand or suction pump worms Pencil bait Solen spp. None 20 by hand, suction pump or wire by hand, suction pump or wire Mud prawn Upogebia spp. None 50 by hand, suction pump or tin Sand prawn Callianassa spp. None 50 by hand or suction pump Swimming Penaeidae None 50 only by hand, castnet prawns White mussel Donax serra None 50 only by hand or implement not exceeding 12mm in

width area Closed * Closed season for this species between 1 st of October and the 30 th of November

While these regulations have been implemented nationally to maintain a healthy fishery, a history of disregard for the regulations is though to be a major contributor to the poor fishing in the estuary and nationally. Wood (2004) reported that an MCM inspector highlighted the problems of anglers who retained undersize fish, exceeded their bag limits and sold their fish. One boat was recognized to be involved in illegal gillnetting and four additional reports of illegal gillnetting were received by MCM in 2003. Boat anglers were also recognized as the group mostly responsible for the illegal activities. Approximately 30% of all user groups fish without licenses. The biggest problem in the immediate future was seen as the lack of manpower and capability to enforce regulations, and the threat of increased gill netting. The

C.A.P.E. Estuaries Management Programme; Gamtoos Estuary Management Plan: Situation Assessment 39 Enviro-Fish Africa (Pty) Ltd. current situation appears no different. Resort representatives indicated that the recreational boat anglers are guilty of transgressing size limits, bag limits and selling their catch. Incidents of gillnetting have been reported to and observed by municipal officials, resort residents and owners and private landowners.

8.1.9 Monitoring and enforcement Monitoring and law enforcement pertaining to living resources on the Gamtoos estuary is currently the responsibility of National Government, specifically DEA&T:MCM. This role has been taken over from Nature Conservation officials from the old WDC, whose only presence during their existence was a river control officer who could enforce boat registration laws but not fishery laws. Wood (2004) reported that the MCM Chief Inspector resided in Jeffries Bay, and his jurisdiction stretched from the Gamtoos to Eerste Rivier where he monitored deep-sea (ski-boats), coastal and estuarine activities. He had one 4x4 vehicle and a seven meter ski-boat at his disposal. The boat was not used for estuarine work, and he could only perform foot patrols twice a week (average), and as such coverage was not good. He relied quite heavily on reports from approximately 10 members of the Gamtoos Joint River Committee, and would then act on these tip-offs if able to do so. In the past, boat patrols were performed on a regular basis (especially over week-ends and during competitions) when WDC had a small inflatable at their disposal. Most of the MCM inspectors’ activities within his entire area were covered by his salary, with an additional budget for 40 hours overtime per month (sea, coastal and estuary).

Before the disbanding of the Regional WDC it had six permanent and auxillary law enforcement officers ranging from the Great Fish to Eerste rivier. Of these, five worked on the Gamtoos system, and one of these was a dedicated river control officer. Their resources included four boats, four bakkies, two beach buggies, two quad-bikes, two bicycles and one motorbike. The budget was deemed sufficient to perform their task, but obviously more would have been better. The WDC river control officer used to reside at the Kingsway Caravan Park and had a river boat and beach buggy at his disposal. Financial restrictions related to fuel and maintenance costs limited the time spent on river patrols and consequently the majority of effort was expended at the main launching site located then at the Ferry Hotel.

Since the disbanding of the Regional WDC there has been a distinct lack of monitoring and enforcement personal. During the current snapshot survey, an MCM compliance official indicated that recently, due to a lack of manpower and the problems associated with abalone poaching, only one estuarine inspection was conducted per year at the time of the annual Gamtoos 1000 fishing competition. However, in August this year, two local catch monitors were appointed by MCM. They have an intensive monitoring protocol of 16 days per month, except for December, which is 13 days per month. The monitors are shore based, patrolling the eastern shore from the Wacky Woods Resort (approximately 9 km upriver) to the estuary mouth. The starting time for each day is varies between 07h00 and 09h00 and the starting point also alternates between the Wacky Woods Resort and the mouth. All anglers encountered are asked for their fishing permit and their catch is inspected and measured. The catch monitors have cell phones and contact law enforcement officials when fishers are non- compliant. Each angler’s identity number and fish lengths are recorded during the monitoring process. The appointment of catch monitors has increased the monitoring capacity, but because they are on foot, they encounter very few boat anglers and focus primarily on shore fishers.

C.A.P.E. Estuaries Management Programme; Gamtoos Estuary Management Plan: Situation Assessment 40 Enviro-Fish Africa (Pty) Ltd.

8.1.10 Angler and resident perceptions Wood (2004) reported that although LTB members that were interviewed thought that co- management (government, anglers and local community) would be a good idea for managing the living resources, none were interested in being involved themselves. Co-management under a local forum with direct involvement via being kept informed and being consulted about issues was seen as being a feasible option by other users. In the meeting with the resort representatives during this study, co-management was still seen as a viable option. However, due to the limited capacity of the existing Gamtoos Joint River Control Committee with regards law enforcement (living and non-living resources), the representatives felt that institutional support, either municipal or regional, with regards to enforcement would be critical for effective management.

Through meetings with representatives from the various resorts and settlements along the Gamtoos during this study, it became clear that occupancy and thus fishing effort peaked in December, over Easter and during school holidays. Weekends although generally quiet, were busier than weekdays. Overall, a limited number of guests staying at the resorts were serious fishermen and guests generally fish sporadically from the shore during their stay. Furthermore, these representatives indicated that the fishing in the estuary has recently deteriorated. Overall opinion was that the recreational anglers (most notably competition LTB anglers) and illegal fishing practices (gill netting) were responsible for the decline. The representatives indicated that they would support further regulations or restrictions placed on fisherman, and also highlighted the fact that visiting recreational boat fishers provided little impetus to the local economy as most individuals, slept on their boats and purchased all of their supplies in their home towns.

The majority of respondents during the current study agreed that there were fewer and smaller fish today than in the past and felt that the current regulations pertaining to fish and bait exploitation would be more effective if they could be enforced. They felt that a closed season (when the large dusky kob are most common in the estuary), a ban on night fishing, a reduction in fishing competitions or further size and bag limit restrictions would enhance the current fishery. Representatives of the competitive angling clubs were unwilling to agree that the catches had dropped over recent years. However, they were not apposed to a closed season, provided that it did not coincide with any of their major competitions. A ban on night fishing or a reduction in fishing competitions was looked on in an unfavorable light. However, the representatives were willing to change the format of fishing competitions. They agreed to only award the first prize at the Gamtoos 1000 for a fish that was released. Furthermore, total release competitions in the future were a distinct possibility.

All participants felt that silting, particularly at the mouth, was responsible for the decline, with LTB anglers asserting that this was the only reason. Agricultural pollution was accredited for the decline by a few residents, with selling of fish by recreational fishers and too many competitions being earmarked by most respondents (except the competitive anglers).

8.1.11 Opportunities • There is a large amount of literature (scientific publications, reports and popular articles) available for the estuary, so we have a good understanding of natural resource exploitation in the estuary. • There were good levels of public participation during this survey that provided a wealth of information regarding the natural resource exploitation in the estuary.

C.A.P.E. Estuaries Management Programme; Gamtoos Estuary Management Plan: Situation Assessment 41 Enviro-Fish Africa (Pty) Ltd.

• The majority of fishers appear to have good knowledge of the current fishery and bait collecting regulations, so rigorous public education drives are not necessary. • There were some forms of self regulation in the competitive boat angling sectors. Club members are responsible for continuous monitoring to ensure that their peers are compliant to the current fish and bait regulations. • There is an existing catch monitoring program in place, which eases the difficulties of regulation enforcement. • There are many natural closed areas for shore angling and bait collecting due to restricted access through privately owned land. This creates natural closed areas in the estuary.

8.1.12 Threats • Apart from the competitive angling sector, there is a general consensus amongst river users that there has been a marked reduction in catches in the last ten years. • At present there is very limited monitoring and enforcement for the boating sector (which is the largest natural resource exploitation group). • The monitoring data that has being collected by MCM officers is unavailable in its current form as it has not been captured. The service provider for the data capture has terminated their contract with MCM. • Large numbers of fishing competitions (at least 9) each year, place an unacceptable level of pressure on the estuarine resources. • There is a general lack of compliance to all of the fishery and bait regulations. • With the predicted expansions of the resorts, there will be an ever increasing number of users. • With increasing numbers of people, the estuary will be subject to a variety of additional user types. With fewer resources per person it is likely that there will be conflict between the users and user groups. • There have been reports of fish kills in the Gamtoos Estuary. Some of these kills have been ascribed to pollution that comes from within the catchment. • A number of illegal activities, such as gillnetting have been reported in the estuary in recent years.

8.1.13 The way forward There is a distinct feeling amongst the majority of river users that the fishery is declining and that the current regulations or the non compliance to regulations should be addressed at a local level. Since the current national linefish regulations have been developed to manage resources on a national scale, they are not area specific. In the Gamtoos estuary, local issues such as the targeting and removal of large dusky kob and poor law enforcement capacity must be considered when developing a management plan. Estuary specific fishery regulations, bait regulations and monitoring protocols may therefore be advantageous.

There are a number potential estuary-specific fishery and bait regulations that need to be considered for inclusion into the EMP; these include a closed season for dusky kob, a window size limit for dusky kob, a ban on night fishing, a no-take sanctuary area, a reduction in the number of fishing competitions and a change in the format of the fishing competitions (to catch and release tournaments; see Table 8.1). A closed area, or a harvesting rotation system are proposed regulations to regulate the bait fishery. Furthermore, the potential of a subsistence bait fishery should be investigated.

Currently, size and bag limits are the only regulations for fishery species and bait organisms. However, it has been recognized that these types of regulations are not effective in areas with

C.A.P.E. Estuaries Management Programme; Gamtoos Estuary Management Plan: Situation Assessment 42 Enviro-Fish Africa (Pty) Ltd. poor law enforcement capacity. Closed areas and closed seasons are considered more effective in these areas and are therefore likely to be more suited to the Gamtoos. When deciding on the most appropriate strategy during the forthcoming workshop, it will be critical to consider each proposed regulation in its entirety, including its socio-economic consequences, benefit to the environment, general acceptance amongst users and ease and cost of enforcement.

The issue of monitoring and policing is also an important component of the management plan. Most respondents during this study felt that the current laws and regulations would be sufficient if there was greater compliance. However, the degree of compliance is directly proportional to the amount of monitoring and enforcement. One potential solution recommended by the respondents was that the money generated by the angling license system should be used to boost the conservation and management of estuaries through the funding of monitoring and policing activities. Money generated in each region should remain within that region, e.g. WDC calculated (and submitted to MCM) that based on the revenue generated at the Gamtoos from the number of boats registered, number of anglers per boat and numbers of shore anglers (fines, license fees etc.), the costs for a full time officer could be covered (salary, boat, fuel). Another suggestion was that police cooperation would be essential, especially when dealing with syndicates operating gill nets or perlemoen poachers using the estuary as a staging area. Other options, such as expanding the catch monitor system to include boat based monitoring and increasing the number of enforcement officers must also be considered.

9. WATER QUANTITY AND QUALITY REQUIREMENTS

9.1 RESPONSIBLE AUTHORITIES

9.1.1 National Authorities Key organizations involved with water management in the Gamtoos River Catchment at a National level are: • DWAF, Options Analysis (Contact: Isa Thompson) • DWAF, Engineering Services (Contact Ms Henriette Anderson) • DWAF, Civil Engineering (Contact: Dr Chris Oosthuizen) • DWAF, RDM Office, Pretoria (Contact: Jackie Jay) • DWAF: Dam Surveillance (Contact: Mr Peter Nightingale) • Dam Safety Office, Pretoria (Contact: Alan Chemaly)

9.1.2 Provincial Authorities The Gamtoos River Catchment falls mainly in the Eastern Cape, but includes small portions of the Northern Cape and Western Cape Provinces. Water resources in the catchment are managed mainly by the following provincial authorities: • DWAF, Water Use Licensing, East London (Contact: Andrew Lucas/ Lizna Fourie/ Moosa Bera) • DWAF, Eastern Cape Operations; Pollution Control, Port Elizabeth (Contact: Pieter Retief) • DWAF, Dam Safety, Cradock (Contact: Johan Venter/ Stephen Mullineux)

9.1.3 Regional Authorities The key organizations involved with water management in the Gamtoos at a regional level are:

C.A.P.E. Estuaries Management Programme; Gamtoos Estuary Management Plan: Situation Assessment 43 Enviro-Fish Africa (Pty) Ltd.

• Nelson Mandela Metropolitan Municipality (Contact: Stuart Ferguson) • Fish-Tsitsikamma Catchment Management Agency – DWAF, Pretoria (Contact: Derek Weston)

9.1.4 Local Authorities The key organization involved with water management in the lower reaches of the Gamtoos Catchment is the Gamtoos Irrigation Board (Contact: Pierre Joubert). There are three additional irrigation boards further upstream in the catchment, but these are not directly involved in the management of the lower reaches, and were therefore not listed here.

9.2 CATCHMENT DESCRIPTION

The Gamtoos River Catchment, or Drainage Region L, covers an area of 34,816 km 2, and is the fourth largest catchment of all cape estuaries (DWAF 2002). The bulk of the catchment lies in the Karoo (85%), and is drained by the Groot River. The second largest tributary in the catchment is the Kouga River, which rises in the Langkloof and covers an area of 4,038 km 2 (11.6%) (DWAF 2002). The Groot and Kouga Rivers join to form the Gamtoos River, which flows for 70 km before entering the top end of the Gamtoos Estuary.

Land use in Drainage Region L is dominated by grazing (92%), followed by nature reserves (5.4%) and dryland crops (0.8%) (DWAF 2002). Irrigation development (0.4%) is concentrated in the Langkloof (17 km 2) and downstream of the Kouga Dam (56 km 2) (DWAF 2002). Alien vegetation is widespread in the upper Langkloof and downstream of Kouga Dam. The condensed extent of alien invasive vegetation is estimated to be 342 km 2 (0.9%) (DWAF 2002).

9.3 WATER RESOURCES

The natural Mean Annual Runoff (MAR) for the Gamtoos River Catchment is estimated at 490.9 million m 3 (DWAF 2004). The average annual rainfall over the area as a whole is estimated at 323 mm, while the average annual rainfall at Kouga Dam is 453 mm; Loerie Dam has a higher mean annual rainfall of 662 mm (Gamtoos Irrigation Board 2007). Rainfall in the mountainous regions can be as high as 800 mm per annum (DWAF 2002).

The available yield from surface water resources in 1995 was estimated to be 150 million m3/a at 1:50 year assurance (DWAF 2002). Some 50% of the utilised yield was from farm dams and run-of-river abstractions, and 43% from major dams (DWAF 2002). The balance of 7% was the impact of alien vegetation and afforestation on the yield (DWAF 2002). In 1995 groundwater provided an additional yield of 7.1 million m3/a, bringing the total yield of the system to 155.2 million m 3 per annum (DWAF 2002). However, a subsequent estimate that made allowance for the Ecological Water Requirement and river losses, estimated the total yield in 2000 to be considerably lower at 117 million m 3 (DWAF 2004). Updated hydrology from the Algoa Pre-Feasibility study for the Kouga catchment was used for the revised yield of Kouga Dam. Similarly, the annual yield of Loerie Dam was reduced from 7.7 million m 3 to 2.4 million m3 to portray the actual current yield due to the way the dam is now operated to reduce manganese levels (DWAF 2004).

9.4 ALIEN VEGETATION CONTROL

C.A.P.E. Estuaries Management Programme; Gamtoos Estuary Management Plan: Situation Assessment 44 Enviro-Fish Africa (Pty) Ltd.

The Gamtoos and upper Kouga River systems have been very heavily invaded by alien invasive plant species. The Working for Water Programme (WfW) is active upstream of Kouga Dam, and this has already increased baseflows in the river (Pierre Joubert Pers. Comm.). Major infestations downstream of Kouga Dam are not controlled by WfW because of their policy of starting in the upper catchment. However, the Gamtoos Irrigation Board employ a team to clear invasive vegetation within the riparian zone of he Gamtoos River because of the increased risks of flooding (Pierre Joubert Pers. Comm.).

The irrigation board is the implementing agent for the WfW Programme, and have already cleared 80,000 ha of exotics (mainly wattle), and increases in baseflow are clearly evident. The programme is active in the Kouga and Kromme Catchments. The irrigation board is participating in a study funded by WWF, comparing river bank stability when banks where wattles are cleared are rehabilitated with banks where wattles are simply sprayed and left.

9.5 FLOW GAUGES

There are no gauging stations downstream of the Kouga and Loerie Dams due to inadequate foundation conditions. Furthermore, there are no reliable gauges on unregulated tributaries, although inflows into Kouga Dam can be measured at Stuurmanskraal (L8H005). The absence of gauges will create problems for monitoring the level of compliance with respect to the Ecological Water Requirement (EWR). Flows entering the Gamtoos estuary can be estimated roughly by adding flows from: • Lower Groot River - L7H006 (good accuracy up to 1000 m 3/s ) • Loerie Dam spillage - L9R001 (accurate at high flows only) • Kouga Dam spillage - L8H006 (accurate at high flows only).

9.6 ECOLOGICAL RESERVE

The Ecological Water Requirements (EWR) of the Gamtoos System have not bee assessed in any detail. A desktop assessment of the EWR of the Gamtoos River for a Category D management objective (i.e. largely modified) was estimated at 39.0 million m 3 per annum, which represents 7.9% of the natural MAR (DWAF 2002). These results should be treated with caution, as the assumption of a Category D does not to apply to all parts of the catchment. For example, the entire river reaches of both the Kouga and Baviaanskloof Rivers exhibit a Desired Ecological Management Class of either Class A or B (i.e. natural to near natural) (DWAF 2004).

A preliminary Reserve determination has been undertaken for the Loerie River upstream of Loerie Dam (DWAF 2000). The cumulative EWR for this area, based on a Category D management objective, was estimated to be 1.462 million m 3/a, equivalent to 10% of the natural MAR (DWAF 2000); the confidence in the results was rated as low to very low.

A preliminary Reserve determination was also undertaken for quaternary catchment L70G in the Groot River in the Baviaanskloof Nature Reserve (DWAF 2003). The cumulative EWR for this area, based on a Category B/C management objective, was estimated to be 29.15 million m 3/a, equivalent to 21.5% of the natural MAR; the confidence in the results was also rated as low to very low (DWAF 2003).

There are no immediate plans to undertake a comprehensive assessment of the EWR for the Gamtoos Catchment, although the catchment is second on the list of priority catchments for

C.A.P.E. Estuaries Management Programme; Gamtoos Estuary Management Plan: Situation Assessment 45 Enviro-Fish Africa (Pty) Ltd. comprehensive EWR assessments within the Water Management Area (WMA) (DWAF 2004). However, no further Water Use Licenses will be granted for the area until a comprehensive assessment of the EWR has been undertaken (DWAF 2004).

It should be noted that while Kouga Dam has the capacity to release up to 25 m 3/s from two bottom sleeve valves when full, Loerie Dam has no outlet facility. The EWR for the Gamtoos Estuary would therefore need to rely on tributary accruals and releases from Kouga Dam. However, the quality of water releases from the bottom outlets at Kouga Dam may cause problems, particularly when the impoundment is stratified and the water released is anoxic.

9.7 WATER USERS

The allocation of water from Kouga and Loerie Dams is 58,6 million m 3/a to the Gamtoos Irrigation Board and 23.5 million m 3/a to the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan Municipality (NMMM) (DWAF 2002). The later is exported from the Gamtoos Catchment. The water demand for the NMMM is 265 Ml/d, of which 66 ML/d is supplied from Loerie Dam. Demands vary from 190 ML/day in winter, to about 310 ML/d in summer (Ferguson Pers. Comm.. 2007). Unaccounted for water within the metro is estimated at about 26% (Joubert Pers. Comm. 2007). The NMMM is currently considering a desalinisation plant with a capacity of about 70 Ml/d (Stuart Ferguson Pers. Comm.).

The biggest user in the catchment is irrigation (124.8 million m 3/a); canal losses are estimated at about 13.5 million m 3/a (11%). The total requirement from the system in terms of allocations is 95.1 million m 3/a, but this cannot be met at the 1:50 year assurance level (DWAF 2002). For example, a drought in 2004 prompted DWAF to restrict the water used by the Gamtoos Irrigation Board and the towns of Hankey and Patensie to 45 million m 3/a (Government Gazette 2004). Evaporative losses from dams account for 47.96 million m 3/a, most of which is lost from Beervlie Dam, while alien vegetation accounts for losses estimated at 24.3 million m 3/a. All water used along the Gamtoos Irrigation Canal is metered. However, abstractions by other irrigation boards further upstream in the catchment are unmetered, so water restrictions are meaningless.

A key feature to understanding the management of the freshwater inflows into the estuary is that irrigation users are entitled to use their annual allocations whenever they choose to do so. This means that the Gamtoos Irrigation Board, who control the releases into the canal, do not know exactly how much water will be used at any one time. The irrigation system is managed to maximise retention in the impoundments, and excess water from the canal spills into Loerie Dam.

The Gamtoos Irrigation Scheme is in serious need of repair, as the pipe reinforcements have corroded, and many syphons are bursting. The maintenance will probably be undertaken and paid for by DWAF, as the irrigation board pay a capital charge levee for maintenance and infrastructure development (Pierre Joubert Pers. Comm.).

9.8 WATER BALANCE

Comparison of water availability and water requirements in 2000 indicates that the overall system is in balance, but potentially stressed if irrigation users in the lower reaches use their full allocation (DWAF 2004). The Kouga/Loerie system is under stress, Kouga Dam is over-

C.A.P.E. Estuaries Management Programme; Gamtoos Estuary Management Plan: Situation Assessment 46 Enviro-Fish Africa (Pty) Ltd. allocated and the subsystem will be under severe stress if the EWR is taken into account. In years that NMMM uses their full allocation of 23 million m³/a from Kouga Dam, the Kouga River will be placed under severe stress. New water allocations in the Kouga, Baviaanskloof and Gamtoos Rivers have been put on hold (DWAF 2004). All of this indicates a high priority for compulsory licensing (DWAF 2004).

9.9 WATER STORAGE

The total reservoir capacity of the Gamtoos Catchment is estimated at 255 million m3, equivalent to 0.5 MAR (Noble and Hemens, 1978). The main water storage facilities in the catchment are as follows:

• Beervlei Dam, in the Groot River, completed in 1957, built primarily as a flood control structure to protect irrigated lands along the banks of the Groot and Gamtoos Rivers, but the dam also stores water for irrigation. The yield from the dam is estimated to be 12.0 million m 3/a (DWAF 2002). The dam has a storage capacity of about 150% of the natural MAR (Heydorn and Grindley 1981). • Kouga Dam, in the Kouga River, completed in 1964 and with a capacity of 128. 68 million m 3 (DWAF 2002). The dam was built to supply water to the irrigation development downstream. The canal system has a capacity of 5.5 m 3/s at the Kouga Dam outlet (Joubert Pers. Comm. 2007). The dam was designed to be raised by 15 m, which would increase capacity by 80%. However, raising the dam is no longer feasible because of safety issues (Joubert Pers. Comm. 2007). A small hydro-power station at Kouga Dam has been decommissioned because of deterioration of the mechanical plant and severe leakage from the balancing dam (DWAF 2004). The yield from Kouga Dam is estimated to be 74.5 million m3/a (DWAF 2002). The dam has a storage capacity of about 85% of the natural MAR (Heydorn and Grindley 1981). DWAF owns Kouga Dam, its main canal and tributary canals and ancillary infrastructure, although the dam is operated by the Gamtoos Irrigation Board (DWAF 2004). • Loerie Dam , in the Loerie River, with a capacity of 3.17 million m 3. The dam receives the bulk of its water via canal from the Kouga Dam. With the exception of that supplied to Hankey and Patensie, all water for urban use is discharged from Loerie Dam to the Loerie Water Treatment Works. The treatment works has a capacity of 105 MR/d, although only about 66 Ml/day is currently used (i.e., there is spare capacity). The treated water is conveyed by pipeline from there to the Port Elizabeth area. Hankey and Patensie draw raw water from the scheme and treat it in their own works with capacities of 1 MR/d and 0.05 MR/d, respectively. The town of Loerie is supplied with treated water by Port Elizabeth Municipality. The yield from the dam is estimated to be 1.0 million m 3/a (DWAF 2002). The dam has a storage capacity of about 20% of the natural MAR (Heydorn and Grindley 1981). The spillway capacity of Loerie Dam was inadequate, so much so that the embankment was breached during floods in 1981, but a new, auxiliary spillway has been installed (Ferguson Pers. Comm. 2007). DWAF owns Loerie Dam, but the NMMM owns and operates the treatment works.

The NMMM are considering a new dam at Guerna, upstream of the Kouga Dam in quaternary catchment L82G. The dam will provide an additional yield of 30 million m 3/a (DWAF 2004). The proposed dam is likely to have significant environmental impacts on the Kouga River (DWAF 2004).

C.A.P.E. Estuaries Management Programme; Gamtoos Estuary Management Plan: Situation Assessment 47 Enviro-Fish Africa (Pty) Ltd.

9.10 PHYTOPLANKTON

The highest concentrations of phytoplankton in the estuary occur when freshwater inflows are around 1 m3/s (Bate et al. 2002). Highest concentrations of phytoplankton occur at salinities between 10 and 15 g/l.

9.11 FRESHWATER INFLOWS

Freshwater inflows into the Gamtoos Estuary comprise inflows from tributaries, agricultural return flows, and spillage from Kouga and Loerie Dams. Most tributaries in the catchment are episodic or seasonal. The only perennial rivers in the lower Gamtoos system are the Kouga, Groot, Hankey, Patensie and Loerie Rivers.

No releases are currently made from Kouga Dam, except for flood management. Baseflows comprise mainly agricultural return flows, which are typically about 1 m3/s throughout the year, plus tributary inflows, which are estimated at about 0.5 m3/s during dry periods (Joubert pers. comm 2007). At these flows the tidal head (River Estuarine Interface; REI) is located about 20 km from the mouth of the estuary (Bate et al . 2002). When freshwater inputs into the estuary exceed 5 m3/s, the top end of the estuary is dominated by freshwater, and salinity is present in the lower 7 km of the estuary only. At 20 m 3/s a salinity gradient will exist only in the lower 3 km of the estuary during a neap tide (Bate et al . 2002).

The Gamtoos River is subject to major floods on account of the large catchment area, and large volumes of sediment are transported during flood events. The highest flow recorded in the Gamtoos River at the head of the estuary is 3,200 m3/s in November 1996 (Bate et al. 2002).

9.12 WATER QUALITY

Water quality in the lower reaches of the Groot River is classified as poor to completely unacceptable for most uses because of naturally high levels of salinity, which range between 2000 and 3000 mg/l (DWAF 2002). A preliminary Ecological Water Quality Reserve has been undertaken for quaternary catchment L70G in the Groot River (DWAF 2003). The Present Ecological State of the river is good, despite the poor quality water, and this indicates that the organisms have adapted to the high salinities.

Water quality in the Kouga River is excellent, although there is a downstream increase in TDS (DWAF 2002). Water quality in the Gamtoos River is classified as good, showing the beneficial impacts of the Kouga and Baviaans Rivers (DWAF 2002). However, elevated concentrations of iron, manganese and trihalomethanes have been recorded in water from the Kouga and Loerie Dams, and this has lead to increased water treatment costs (DWAF 2002). Concerns have been expressed that further impoundment of the Kouga River will have negative impacts on its dilution of high salinity in the Groot River (DWAF 2002).

The estuary receives periodic elevated nitrate levels from agricultural return flows (Pearce and Schumann 2001). Periodic blooms of phytoplankton occur, but frequent flushing of the estuary prevents large scale eutrophication (Scharler and Baird 2005).

9.13 RIVER HEALTH

C.A.P.E. Estuaries Management Programme; Gamtoos Estuary Management Plan: Situation Assessment 48 Enviro-Fish Africa (Pty) Ltd.

The Gamtoos River is in a poor ecological condition, with numerous exotic fish (mainly carp and bass). There are no barriers to fish movement between the estuary and Koega Dam, and mullet (most likely Myxus capensis ) congregate in large numbers at the dam wall (Joubert Pers. Comm.). Large numbers of juvenile eels (most likely Anguilla mossambica ) are found periodically in the irrigation canals. Kouga Dam has two radial gates that leak, and these could provide a suitable way for these glass eels to get up the wall. However, DWAF plan to remove these gates, as they are not used (Joubert Pers. Comm. 2007).

DWAF have initiated biomonitoring of aquatic invertebrates (SASS5) at two sites in the Gamtoos River, and six sites further upstream. The results indicate a reasonably healthy fauna, but comprising mainly tolerant taxa.

9.14 WASTE MANAGEMENT

Solid waste management is very poor within the valley, and some people are using the river to dispose domestic waste.

10. CLASSIFICATION, ECONOMIC VALUE, PROTECTION AND REHABILITATION

10.1 CLASSIFICATION

The Gamtoos is a warm temperate, medium/large permanently open, tidally dominated, barred estuary that displays a poor ichthyfaunal community, fair water quality and only moderate aesthetic appeal (Whitfield 1992; Harrison et al. 2000); overall health was rated as Fair by Whitfield (2000). A more recent study by Turpie and Clark (2007) ranked the Gamtoos as the 12 th most important estuary in South Africa in terms of biodiversity with an overall importance score of 92 out of a possible 100. This ranking was based on a detailed assessment of both ichthy- and avifauna.

10.2 ECONOMIC VALUE

Turpie and Clark (2007) placed the following economic values on the Gamtoos estuary:

Subsistence - ranked 14 th amongst temperate systems; valued at R156 750 per annum; top value is the Swartkops estuary at R808 953. Property – not ranked in the Top 20 in terms of property value related to estuaries; range of property value related to all temperate estuaries is between R1 million and R2 billion; most systems fall into the R10 – 50 million range. Tourism – not rated in the Top 20 in terms of tourism value attributed to estuaries; total value for all temperate systems is R2.08 billion; most (probably including the Gamtoos) are between R10 000 and R1 million although 23 estuaries have an estimated tourism value of < R10 000. Nursery – ranked 8 th amongst temperate systems; valued at R21.8 million per annum; top value is Knysna at R167.6 million. Existence – ranks 20 th amongst temperate systems and is considered High; scenic beauty and biodiversity importance were major contributing factors; overall the public’s willingness to pay (WTP) for estuary conservation in SA for all income groups is R80 842 180. Recreational – combination of property and tourism; estimated at between R1 – 5 million per annum.

C.A.P.E. Estuaries Management Programme; Gamtoos Estuary Management Plan: Situation Assessment 49 Enviro-Fish Africa (Pty) Ltd.

With the proposed expansion of the Kingsway resort and the development of the remaining (± 380) erven at the Gamtoos Mouth resort it is likely that the estimates provided above will change quite significantly in the near future. As the property value increases due to accelerated development, the tourism and recreational values will follow suite. As the system departs from its historically rural location and becomes more peri-urban, its existence value will probably increase due to a general increase in awareness amongst a higher number of residents and landowners. Nursery value is dependent on the status of recreational linefish stocks on a national scale and as such will also increase as ever increasing levels of effort continue to deplete the resource. It is not easy to say whether the numbers of subsistence fishers and therefore the subsistence value will increase in the near future as this will depend on a variety of socio-economic factors that are not linked to the estuary. However, if a similar trend that has been observed on other developing estuaries is followed, a subsistence orientated bait fishery is likely to emerge as the number of residents and resorts increases.

10.3 PROTECTED AREA STRATEGY AND POTENTIAL

10.3.1 Estuarine Protected Areas The establishment of a core Estuarine Protected Area (EPA) network around the South African coastline should take into account the following goals (after Turpie and Clark 2007):

• Representativeness: all estuarine species within a bioregion should be represented in viable numbers in the protected areas network. • Maintenance of ecological processes: the protected area network should allow for connectivity and interaction with other adjoining ecosystems. • Maintenance of fishery stocks: the protected area network should provide enough protection to exploited species that they are able to act as source areas for surrounding exploited areas. • Minimisation of economic opportunity costs: biodiversity targets should be met at least possible opportunity cost, through careful selection of the estuaries included in the protected area network. Estuaries where protection offers greatest economic benefits or lowest economic costs should be prioritised in the EPA selection process. • Implementabilty: consideration should be given to the practicalities of protection in each estuary.

The biodiversity protection targets addressed in Sections 10.3.2, 10.3.3 and 10.3.4 below address the first three goals listed above. The final choice of estuaries that will be used as part of an EPA network that will realize these targets will be subject to the final two goals listed above.

10.3.2 Protection of habitat types Targets for the protection of estuarine habitat types (as a percentage of the total estuarine habitat measured in hectares) have been recommended by Turpie and Clark (2007). The percentages for habitat types found in the Gamtoos are as follows; supratidal salt marsh (30%); intertidal salt marsh (40%); reeds and sedges (20%); sand/mud banks (40%); submerged macrophytes (40%); and estuary channel (30%). The overall percentage of all habitat types combined that should be protected is 30% of the total available 25 095 hectares.

10.3.3 Protection of fish and bird species

C.A.P.E. Estuaries Management Programme; Gamtoos Estuary Management Plan: Situation Assessment 50 Enviro-Fish Africa (Pty) Ltd.

Similarly targets for the protection of fish and bird species (as a percentage of the total population) were set at 50% of the population of red data (threatened) species; 40% of the population of exploited species; and 30% of the population of all other species. The effective targets for selected individual species that are associated with the Gamtoos are provided in Table 10.1 (after Turpie and Clark 2007). Amongst the bird species it is only the African Black Oystercatcher that is a listed threatened species with the remaining assemblage falling under the 30% protection target. No red data fish species are listed but all those that feature prominently in Gamtoos catches and which are considered to be over-exploited, such as dusky kob, spotted grunter and white steenbras are targeted for 40% protection of the population.

Table 10.1 Target percentages for the protection of estuarine fish and bird species (after Turpie and Clark 2007).

FISH SPECIES TARGET % BIRD SPECIES TARGET % Acanthopagrus berda 30 White-breasted Cormorant 30 Anguilla mossambica 30 African Black Oystercatcher 50 Argyrosomus japonicus 40 Common Ringed Plover 30 Atherina breviceps 30 White-fronted Plover 30 Caffrogobius gilchristi 30 Grey Plover 30 Caffrogobius natalensis 30 Terek Sandpiper 30 Caffrogobius nudiceps 30 Common Sandpiper 30 Diplodus sargus capensis 40 Curlew Sandpiper 30 Elops machnata 40 Common Greenshank 30 Galeichthys feliceps 40 Red Knot 30 Gilchristella aestuaria 30 Little Stint 30 Hemiramphus far 30 Sanderling 30 Heteromycteris capensis 30 Bar-tailed Godwit 30 Lichia amia 40 Eurasian Curlew 30 Lithognathus lithognathus 40 Common Whimbrel 30 Liza dumerilii 40 Pied Avocet 30 Liza richardsonii 40 Black-winged Stilt 30 Liza tricuspidens 40 Kelp Gull 30 Monodactylus falciformis 30 Caspian Tern 30 Mugil cephalus 40 Swift Tern 30 Myxus capensis 40 Sandwich Tern 30 Omobranchus woodi 30 Common Tern 30 Pomadasys commersonnii 40 Little Tern 30 Pomatomus saltatrix 40 Psammogobius knysnaensis 30 Rhabdosargus holubi 40 Sarpa salpa 40 Solea bleekeri 30 Syngnathus acus 30 Torpedo sinuspersici 30

10.3.4 Protection of ecosystem and landscape-level processes The protection of habitat types and associated fauna in estuaries may only be considered effective if the populations benefiting from these measures are viable, that is to say that they are sufficiently large and there is a degree of overlap between protected areas/populations to

C.A.P.E. Estuaries Management Programme; Gamtoos Estuary Management Plan: Situation Assessment 51 Enviro-Fish Africa (Pty) Ltd. ensure the maintenance of genetic integrity and evolutionary processes. In order to achieve this, Turpie and Clark (2007) recommended the following measures which would also serve to help maintain landscape-level processes that maintain ecological integrity at a large scale (relevance to the Gamtoos estuary is also provided:

• Viability: EPAs should protect a minimum of 33% of each habitat within an estuary as a no take sanctuary. Although this may not be a realistic measure it is potentially attainable due to the rural location of the Gamtoos estuary and the low level of development and recreational use of the various habitat types. • Viability: Systems in an unacceptable state of health should be excluded, particularly canalized systems. The Gamtoos is in a fair state of health according to Whitfield (2000) and enjoys a high biodiversity importance rating of 92, placing it in 12 th position amongst the country’s estuaries. • Connectivity: There should be a relatively even distribution of protected estuarine area around the coast. A network of EPAs has yet to be set up and it is not known how the Gamtoos would feature in this arrangement. • Landscape level processes: Estuaries adjoining terrestrial or marine protected areas will be prioritized in the selection process, and those adjoining undeveloped land should be prioritized over those that are developed. The Gamtoos Coastal Reserve lies adjacent to the mouth of the estuary on the eastern side; land to the west and inland is under intensive agricultural development while the land to the east in the middle and lower reaches features some agriculture and five resorts. • Viability, ecosystem processes, evolutionary processes and representativeness: Large open systems should be prioritized over smaller systems but a range of different sized estuaries should nevertheless be represented. The Gamtoos is a medium/large open system. • Efficiency: Systems with higher conservation importance scores should be given greater priority. The Gamtoos has a high score (92) in this regard.

10.3.5 Type or level of protection The study by Turpie and Clark (2007) concluded that in order for conservation targets and goals to be achieved, 80% of temperate estuaries needed some form of partial protection rather than a few with total protection; in many instances this was because the benefits of partial protection were seen to outweigh the management and opportunity costs. Furthermore it became apparent that a greater level of protection of estuaries would be desirable from a socio-economic perspective than would be necessary just in order to meet biodiversity conservation targets. The partial protection of 80% of estuaries was also deemed desirable from a management perspective, in that it would facilitate the introduction of an almost universal sanctuary zone in each estuary which is marked by standard markers, which in turn would facilitate public awareness about the estuarine protection system.

Initial guidelines for the conservation of estuarine biodiversity (Turpie 2004) required that estuaries be assigned to one of three categories, namely:

• Estuarine Protected Areas (EPAs) - part or all of an estuary is a sanctuary, providing protection from consumptive use; state-run; selected with both biodiversity representation and socio-economic considerations in mind; • Estuarine Conservation Areas (ECAs) - co-managed estuaries in which general regulations are augmented by estuary-specific regulations; initiated by local communities through estuary forums which would also design zonation schemes and bylaws; likened

C.A.P.E. Estuaries Management Programme; Gamtoos Estuary Management Plan: Situation Assessment 52 Enviro-Fish Africa (Pty) Ltd.

to the role of private nature reserves and conservancies in the protection of terrestrial biodiversity, and are generally not considered to contribute to protected area conservation targets because their contribution to conservation is less secure in the long term; and • Estuarine Management Areas (EMAs) - to which general regulations apply; at least must have a management plan in order to facilitate compliance with general regulation and maintain estuarine health at an acceptable level.

However, due to complications that arise between fully and partially protected systems with respect to national legislation and the subsequent administration of EPAs and ECAs it has been recommended that the above categories be scrapped and that zonation be used instead as a general strategy in the management of estuaries (Turpie and Clark 2007). Essentially this means that the estuaries selected to form part of an overall protection network should contain a sanctuary zone and should receive sufficient protection and sufficient quantity and quality of freshwater inflows to be maintained in an appropriate state of health.

The zonation strategy means that individual estuaries may contain a fully-protected (sanctuary) area which would include terrestrial margins, and a conservation area that would be zoned according to the vision and objectives/requirements for that estuary. Sanctuary areas would fulfill the same function as an EPA and as such would have to be set up and managed by an organ of the state. Conservation areas may be managed by a wide variety of styles within a co-management setup where the community and an estuary management forum are the main role players. By adopting a system like this on all selected estuaries, it is likely to be easier and more efficient to manage the entire network, especially if similar rules apply and similar markers and mapping styles are used in all estuaries to denote sanctuaries and other types of use zones (Turpie and Clark 2007).

10.3.6 The Gamtoos in perspective Based on the findings of Turpie and Clark (2007), the following can be said about the Gamtoos estuary with regards to requirements in terms of protection:

• The Gamtoos is one of the core set of temperate estuaries required to meet the targets for biodiversity protection of estuarine resources; scores (out of 100) that contributed to the overall rating of 92 for the Gamtoos were size (100), habitat importance (100), zonal type rarity (20) and biodiversity importance (98.5). • The recommended extent of sanctuary protection is HALF the system. • The recommended extent of undeveloped margin is 50%; an average score for public perception of optimal level of development around SA estuaries was 40%. • The recommended minimum water requirement falls under the A/B management class which means a high priority and requirement. • The priority for rehabilitation is HIGH.

Preliminary thoughts on a zonation plan for the Gamtoos are that the entire mouth region and the wetlands/saltmarshes adjacent to the Gamtoos Lagoon be considered for sanctuary area status and the Gamtoos Lagoon itself and channel and adjacent land on the eastern shore from the lagoon confluence to the N2 bridge be considered for conservation area status. These zones will effectively include all the sensitive habitats within the system (Figure 10.1) as well as extensive mud banks along the eastern shore. The zonation should allow for a balance between no-take areas designed to directly protect living resources and areas where activities are regulated to prevent over-exploitation, ensure responsible non-consumptive recreational

C.A.P.E. Estuaries Management Programme; Gamtoos Estuary Management Plan: Situation Assessment 53 Enviro-Fish Africa (Pty) Ltd. use and ensure sustainable development. The extensive wetlands to the west and north are amongst agricultural land and will not form part of any proposed sanctuary area.

Existing literature states that the Gamtoos estuary already enjoys a degree of protection (Turpie et al. 2002; Turpie and Clark 2007); further investigation reveals that this status has been assigned due to the Gamtoos Coastal Reserve (Figure 10.1) which is present to the east of the mouth along the coastal zone. In reality however, this reserve is state owned land that has yet to be formally declared a reserve and it falls short of the estuary itself due to the western edge being demarcated by the municipal camping site. Furthermore the reserve has no functioning management plan and therefore no enforceable restrictions with regards protection of habitats and biodiversity. It is therefore questionable whether one can consider this reserve as contributing to the protection of the Gamtoos at this stage.

11. RESTORATION/REHABILITATION

A workshop attended by estuarine scientists and managers was held to determine which temperate estuaries should be prioritized for rehabilitation (see Turpie and Clark 2007) and which issues should be addressed in each estuary. A total of 50% of temperate estuaries were considered to be in need of some form of rehabilitation; these included systems ranging from a poor to excellent state of health. Thirty-nine estuaries were given a HIGH priority status for rehabilitation. The Gamtoos was rated as a HIGH priority system; health according to Whitfield (2000) is only rated as Fair. According to the consensus opinion at the workshop (Turpie and Clark 2007) the requirements for rehabilitation on the Gamtoos estuary are water quality (both pollution and silt) and the clearing of alien vegetation; restoration of areas subject to inappropriate bank stabilization was not regarded as a priority. However, based on several interviews conducted during this study it seems that several land owners wish to initiate bank stabilization projects along sections of the estuary. Severely eroded banks on the eastern shore appear to be the result of cattle movements, strong winds and the removal and/or grazing of stabilizing riparian vegetation; on the western shore degradation may historically have been caused by a combination of similar events but more recently is most likely due to uncontrolled and increased access along the shoreline and the natural action of the water under strong wind conditions. It is not thought that boat wakes contribute significantly to bank erosion. The major area of concern lies between the Gamtoos Lagoon confluence to just past the Wacky Woods Resort at the confluence with the Loerie River.

Water quality has been raised as a concern in the past and it is mostly due to contaminated runoff from farmlands, either as a result of fertilizers or pesticides. The effects appear to be localized and of short duration due to the flushing effect of the tides and the dilution factor in such a large body of water. The extent and severity of this problem can only be determined through a dedicated monitoring programme but the proximity of planted lands to the estuary is of concern and a buffer zone may help alleviate the extent to which contaminated water would enter the system. Percolation and mixing with groundwater would however continue to remain a problem as this seeps into the estuary at multiple points and is difficult to quantify. The mouth region and Lagoon of the Gamtoos are both heavily silted and only navigable at half and full tides. The remainder of the system is fairly clear of major sandbanks but the silt load carried in suspension appears to be high. While much of the sediment at the mouth is marine in origin, either brought in on the flood tide or blown in from the beach and dunes, the sediment load in the remainder of the estuary is terrestrial in origin and most likely originates from farmlands that are worked next to the estuary bank.

C.A.P.E. Estuaries Management Programme; Gamtoos Estuary Management Plan: Situation Assessment 54 Enviro-Fish Africa (Pty) Ltd.

Gamtoos Sensitive areas

Gamtoos river

Wetlands and salt marshes

Wetlands and salt marshes within existing farm land

Important bird conservation area

Proposed sensitive area (bird, wetland and Gamtoos mouth conservation priority area)

Figure 10.1 Sensitive areas within and adjacent to the Gamtoos estuary showing the proposed sanctuary area at the mouth and the extent of wetlands and saltmarshes on both sides of the system; the bird conservation area falls within the existing Coastal Reserve.

C.A.P.E. Estuaries Management Programme; Gamtoos Estuary Management Plan: Situation Assessment 55 Enviro-Fish Africa (Pty) Ltd.

The greater catchment area is thought to be in good condition and is adequately managed through the Baviaans Mega Reserve initiative. However, a dedicated catchment management plan run through a catchment management agency is required to consider estuary specific issues. The ecological reserve needs to be determined as a matter of urgency and then a programme initiated that will ensure measured releases and pulses of freshwater that will not only help sustain ecological processes but may also help scour the estuary to a degree.

12. PUBLIC AND AUTHORITY PARTICIPATION AND LIAISON

All those people that have been involved thus far in this project are shown in Table 12.1. These include authority representatives, e.g. DEAT, DWAF and DEDEA, municipal officers, landowners (resorts, private residences and farmers) and other interest groups, e.g. St Francis Bay Bird Club. Their input and assistance thus far is hereby acknowledged; their continued involvement is seen as vital to the successful formulation and ultimately implementation of the EMP. All IAPs will be involved in the forthcoming workshop and will have the opportunity to comment both on this document and the draft EMP prior to it being forwarded to Cape Nature as a finalized product.

Table 12.1 List of people and their affiliations that have been consulted thus far in this study.

13. REFERENCES

Bate, G. C., Whitfield, A. K., Adams, J. B. Huizinga, P and Wooldridge, T. H. 2002. The importance of the river-estuary interface (REI) zone in estuaries. Water SA 28(3): 271- 273. Department of Water Affairs and Forestry (DWAF), South Africa. 2002. Fish to Tsitsikamma Water Management Area Water Resources Situation Assessment (WRSA) Report (Report No: P WMA 15/000/00/0101). Department of Water Affairs and Forestry (DWAF), South Africa. 2003. Preliminary determination of the Reserve and Resource Class – Quaternary Catchment L70G. Department of Water Affairs and Forestry. Report o F 26/8/3/3/8/4/7. (approved 2003- 10-01). Department of Water Affairs and Forestry (DWAF), South Africa. 2000. Preliminary determintion of the water quantity component of the Reserve (river ecosystem component) for the Gamtoos River in quaternary Catchment L90C using the rapid procedure. Department of Water Affairs and Forestry. Report F 26/8/3/3/8/4/7. (approved 2000-10-16). Department of Water Affairs and Forestry (DWAF), South Africa. 2004. Fish to Tsitsikamma Water Management Area: Tsitsikamma to Coega Internal Strategic Perspective. Prepared by Ninham Shand in association with Umvoto Africa, on behalf of the Directorate National Water Resources Planning. DWAF Report no. P WMA 15/000/00/0304. Fielding, P.J. 2007. Management Plan for Gamtoos Coastal Reserve. Draft Report for Cacadu District Municipality; February 2007. 48pp. Gamtoos Irrigation Board 2007. http://www.gamtooswater.net/statistiek . Government Gazette 2004. Restrictions on the use of water for agricultural use and for domestic and industrial use from the Gamtoos River Government Water Scheme (the Kouga Dam and the Gamtoos Canal) in the Fish-to-Tsitsikamma Water Manageent Area

C.A.P.E. Estuaries Management Programme; Gamtoos Estuary Management Plan: Situation Assessment 56 Enviro-Fish Africa (Pty) Ltd.

(WMA15) in the Eastern Cape Provice. Government Notice No 1031. September 3 rd 2004. Harrison, T.D., Cooper, J.A.G. & Ramm, A.E.L. 2000. State of South African estuaries. Geomorphology, ichthyofauna, water quality and aesthetics. Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism, State of the Environment Series Report No. 2. 126pp. Heinecken, T.J.E. 1981. Estuaries of the Cape. Part II: Synopses of available information on individual systems. CSIR Report No. 7: Gamtoos (CMS48). Stellenbosch, South Africa. 40 pp. Heydorn, A. E. F. and Grindley, J. R. 1981. Estuaries of the Cape. Part II. Synopses of available information on individual systems. Report No. 7. Gamtoos (CMS48). CSIR Report No 406. Jezewski, W.A. and Roberts, C.P.R. 1986. Estuarine and lake freshwater requirements. Department of Water Affairs, Technical Report No TR129iv, Pretoria. 22 pp. Mackensie, B.L. 2005. An assessment of the shore baitfishery in theEastern Cape. Master of Science, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa. 115 pp. Marais, J.F.K. 1983. Fish abundance and distribution in the Gamtoos estuary with notes on the effects of floods. South African Journal of Zoology 18. 103-109. Midgley, D.C., Pitman, W.V. and Middleton, B.J. 1994. Surface water resources of South Africa 1990, Water Research Commission Report No. 298/1/94. Noble R. G. and Hemens J. 1978. Inland water ecosystems of South Africa – a review of research needs. South African national Scientific Programmes Report No 34. Pearce, M.W. 1996. The Effect of Land Use on Gamtoos Estuary Water Quality. Ph.D. Thesis, University of Port Elizabeth, Port Elizabeth. Pearce, M. W. and Schumann, E. H. 2001. The impact of irrigation return flow on aspects of the quality of the Upper Gamtoos Estuary, South Africa. Water SA 27(3): 367-372. Pradervand 1998. . An assessment of recreational angling in Eastern Cape estuaries. MSc Thesis, UPE. 133pp. Pradervand P, Baird D 2002. Assessment of the recreational linefishery in selected Eastern Cape estuaries: Trends in catches and effort. South African Journal of Marine Science 24: 87-101. Reddering, J.S.V. and Scarr, N.G. 1990. The physical characteristics of the Gamtoos estuary. Institute for Coastal Research Report 23. University of Port Elizabeth. 39 pp. Salme 1994. Getyriviere van die Kaapse Kus. Gamtoos Rivier. Stywe Lyne Julie 1994. Scharler, U. M. and Baird, D. 2005. The filtering capacity of selected Eastern Cape estuaries, South Africa. Water SA 31(4): 483-489. Schlacher, T.A. and Wooldridge, T.H. 1996. Axial zonation patterns of subtidal macrozoobenthos in the Gamtoos estuary, South Africa. Estuaries 19(3): 680-696. Schumann, E.H. and Pearce, M.W. 1997. Freshwater inflow and estuarine variability in the Gamtoos estuary: Implications for watershed management. Estuaries 20(1): 124-133. Strydom, N.A. 1998. Fish larval dynamics in the mouth region of the Gamtoos Estuary. M.Sc. thesis, University of Port Elizabeth, Port Elizabeth. 104 pp. Taljaard, S. 2007. Interpretation of Legislation Pertaining to Management of Environmental Threats Within Estuaries. Guideline 1: C.A.P.E. Estuaries Programme. 41pp. Turpie, J.K. 2004a. Current status of estuaries, their protection and threats to their biodiversity, proposed goals for conservation and guidelines for a strategy for the protection of estuarine biodiversity. In: Breen, C.M., Adams, J., Batchelor, A., Cowley, P., Marneweck, G., McGwynne, McKenzie, M., Bgulube, P., Paterson, A., Sihlophe, N. Taljaard, S., Turpie, J., Uys, A.C., van Niekerk, L., Wood, A., Lamberth, S., Boyd, A. & Morant, P. Protocols contributing to the management of estuaries in South Africa,

C.A.P.E. Estuaries Management Programme; Gamtoos Estuary Management Plan: Situation Assessment 57 Enviro-Fish Africa (Pty) Ltd.

with a particular emphasis on the Eastern Cape Province. Vol. II. Eastern Cape Estuaries Management Research Programme . WRC Report No. 1246/1/04. Turpie, J.K., Adams, J.B., Joubert, A., Harrison, T.D., Colloty, B.M., Maree, R.C., Whitfield, A.K., Wooldridge, T.H., Lamberth, S.J., Taljaard, S. & van Niekerk, L. 2002. Assessment of the conservation priority status of South African estuaries for use in management and water allocation. Water SA. 28(2) : pp191-206. Turpie, J and Clark, B. 2007. Development of a conservation plan for temperate South African estuaries on the basis of biodiversity importance, ecosystem health and economic costs and benefits. C.A.P.E. Regional Estuarine Management Programme. Final Report; August 2007. 125pp. Van Niekerk, L. and Huizinga, P. 2003. The effects of different run-off conditions on salinity distributions in the Gamtoos Estuary. In: Studies on the river-estuary interface region of selected eastern cape estuaries. (eds. A.K. Whitfield and A.D. Wood). Water Research Commission Report No. 756/1/03. pp. 7-65. Whitfield, A.K. 1992. A characterisation of southern African estuarine systems. Southern African Journal of Aquatic Sciences 12 : 89-103. Whitfield, A.K. 2000. Available scientific information on individual estuarine systems. WRC Report no. 577/3/00. 217pp. Wood, A.D. 2004. Protocols Contributing to the Management of Estuaries in South Africa, with a Particular Emphasis on the Eastern Cape Province. Volume III, Project C (Sustainable Use) Supplementary Report C4; Snapshot survey of selected estuaries and institutional capacity in the Eastern Cape. 71pp. Only available on CD from the WRC.

C.A.P.E. Estuaries Management Programme; Gamtoos Estuary Management Plan: Situation Assessment 58