MOSSEL BAY NEWS - Just to the north of Mossel Bay lies the Hartenbos estuary. The estuary and its nearby beaches are popular destinations for holiday makers and residents alike. Unfortunately the estuary is currently degraded due to various developments and activities throughout the catchment.
Water use, waste disposal and pollution from agricultural and urban areas have resulted in deteriorating water quality and severe changes to the river’s flow patterns. Recognising that this small estuary requires immediate and focused efforts to improve the environmental health for the benefit of the local Hartenbos and wider Mossel Bay community, the Mossel Bay Municipality has embarked on the process of compiling an Estuarine Management Plan (EMP). Public involvement in the process is crucial to ensure that the Hartenbos EMP development and implementation is successful.
The channel and mouth dynamics of the Hartenbos estuary have been substantially modified by developments in the catchment. The Hartebeeskuil Dam, situated 12 km upstream of the estuary, impounds all run-off from the upper reaches of the Hartenbos catchment. Controlled releases from the dam are made for irrigation purposes and downstream river ecology, but are rarely initiated specifically for the estuary.
As a result, not only have the overall water volumes reaching the estuary mouth been reduced, but flood events are rare and are much smaller than they used to be. These flood events are critical to keep the estuary healthy and determine the timing and duration that the estuary is open to the sea. Floods are now rarely strong enough to break through the sand bar to open the estuary mouth. It is therefore very important to come up with a dam release and mouth breaching protocol that will safeguard against fish kills as well as flood damage to existing properties on the estuary banks while promoting a healthier ecosystem that has a greater aesthetic value.
Estuaries such as the Hartenbos represent a complex socio-economic and biophysical environment at the interface of the ocean, river and land. A well formulated EMP, implemented and regularly updated by an estuarine forum, is currently considered the most effective way to manage such an environment.
Conflicting interests representing people’s livelihoods, recreational uses or simply an interest in nature beyond the estuary’s borders must be approached in a fair but also environmentally sensible way. To tackle these challenges in a structured and coordinated manner, an EMP must be drafted in accordance with the National Estuarine Management Protocol (Regulations in terms of the National Environmental Management Integrated Coastal Management Act No. 24 of 2008). An EMP sets out the vision and management objectives for an estuary like the Hartenbos and identifies strategic priorities while also providing a road map for the implementation of these measures.
The Hartenbos estuary needs urgent and focused attention to turn the tide for the health of the estuary and for the benefit of all stakeholders. As an interested and affected party (I&AP) you are strongly encouraged to spread the word about this initiative and get involved in drafting an EMP that is relevant and practical. Your involvement will also help to ensure the establishment of the Hartenbos Estuarine Forum which is critical for ensuring successful implementation of the EMP.
To date, a Situation Assessment Report (SAR) has been compiled and represents the information foundation of the EMP which is to be developed in continued consultation with stakeholders. The SAR and other documentation relevant to this process are available at www.anchorenvironmental.co.za under the ‘Document download’ tab.
Please contact Vera Massie-Liebau at Anchor Environmental Consultants (Pty) Ltd to register as an I&AP and to receive relevant updates and details regarding upcoming public meetings on 021 701 3420, or email info@anchorenvironmental.co.za
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