The event in the Kruger National Park already started on Friday 23rd May, when Drs Andrew Deacon and Pieter Kotze visited the Leopard Creek fish ladder. This is an existing fishway that have been improved by the people at Leopard Creek, and with the help of the experts, it will be improved even further to become a truly functional fish ladder. On the morning of the real event, the organising team, consisting of Robin Peterson (SANPark aquatic ecologist), Dr Pieter Kotze (Clean Stream Consultant) and Dr Andrew Deacon (Private Consultant), met a very enthusiastic crowd of all walks of life, ready to experience the wonders of fish migration and fishways!
The group first visited the Lower Sabie gauging weir fishway. After cautiously watching a large crocodile and a herd of hippo entering the water, they gathered around the fish ladder and were informed about the functioning of fish ladders. They then proceeded to the Lower Sabie dam-bridge where they discussed the success of the near- natural fishway, while a group of well-fed crocodiles were laying on a near-by island. On their way to the next fishway, game watching shortened the route and they met with elephants, hippo and buffalo.
At the Kruger Gate guaging weir, Dr Piet Kotze and his helper proceeded to shock some indigenous fish species in and around the fishway. The fish were placed in a small aquarium where everybody could look at them and the species was later identified and their swimming abilities discussed. At the end of the demo, the group had a relaxing bush barbeque while an elephant came down to drink water in the river. Although it was a very exciting and relaxing day, the amount of questions and overall interest made the day a big success.
Fish migrations: implications for conservation and fisheries management
Paul Cowley, SAIAB
Eels in South Africa
Jeremy Shelton
Happy World Fish Migration Day from South Africa !!!
