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Challenges and Successes Facing South Africa's Endemic Species Recovery in the Future: The Rondegat River Experience
In South Africa’s Cape Floristic Region, predation by non-native fishes (3 bass species, 2 trout species, bluegill sunfish) has severely impacted native fish populations and more than half of the 18 endemic fish species are endangered. To preserve the unique endemic fish fauna, removal of non-native fish from priority rivers is needed. In February 2012, South Africa’s first non-native fish eradication using rotenone and including comprehensive biological monitoring took place in the Rondegat River, a small headwater stream that had been invaded by smallmouth bass (Micropterus dolomieu). The successful treatment culminated from a decade-long process that was facilitated through collaboration among a South African nature conservation authority (CapeNature), the South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity, the national Working for Water Programme and the American Fisheries Society Fish Management Chemicals Subcommittee. This collaboration helped defuse substantial opposition to the project that was experienced during the EIA phase. The successful removal of alien fish and almost instantaneous increase in biodiversity is anticipated to encourage more endemic fish restorations in South Africa.