A PRELIMINARY SURVEY OF THE COASTAL RIVER SYSTEMS OF FALSE BAY, SOUTH-WEST COAST OF SOUTH AFRICA, WITH PARTICULAR REFERENCE TO THE FISH FAUNA

SUMMARY

The estuaries of False Bay were surveyed during the period October to November 1993. The ichthyofaunal and physico-chemical characteristics of each system are presented and their suitability as estuarine nursery areas is discussed. Eleven systems drain into False Bay and most of these have, in one way or another, been impacted and modified by human activities. Two systems, the Buffels (Wes) and Elsies appear to be little more than coastal streams which only flow during the winter rainy period and offer little habitat for either resident or estuarine-dependent marine fishes. One system, the Seekoe, has been reduced to an outfall for treated sewage effluent and does not appear to support any fish fauna. A further two systems, the Silwermyn and Sir Lowry's Pass, have been severely altered and their fish fauna appears to be limited. The remaining six systems still appear to serve a viable estuarine nursery function and estuarine and estuarine-dependent marine species were a dominant component of their fish fauna.