A preliminary survey of the estuaries on the southeast coast of South Africa, Cape St Francis – Cape Padrone, with particular reference to the fish fauna

ABSTRACT

A basic ichthyofaunal and physico-chemical survey of the coastal outlets on the southeast coast of South Africa (Cape St Francis – Cape Padrone) was conducted during September and October 1995. Eleven systems have been identified along this stretch of coastline. Four systems (Kromme, Gamtoos, Swartkops and Sundays) are permanently open and provide important habitats for a number of estuarine-resident and marine fish species. Three systems (Seekoei, Kabeljous and Van Stadens) are moderately sized estuaries characterised by intermittently open mouths. The Seekoei Estuary has undergone extreme human disturbance, while the Kabeljous and Van Stadens are in a less disturbed state. All three systems provide nursery habitats for both estuarine-resident and estuarine-associated marine species. The Maitland is a small, shallow sandy system that is typically closed to the sea for extended periods; despite this it was still found to support estuarine-associated species particularly mugilids. The remaining three systems (Bakens, Papkuils and Coega) are all highly altered systems that provide little littoral habitat for either resident or migrant marine species.

Keywords:

• ichthyofauna
• estuarine survey
• fish habitat
• southeast coast
• South Africa