MOSSEL BAY NEWS - The end of last year was marked by passionate debates surrounding the possible removal of the geese commonly seen in areas of Great Brak.

The Great Brak Estuary Advisory Forum's Waterfowl Task Team, consisting of the Department of Environmental Affairs and Development Planning, the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, the Garden Route District Municipality, CapeNature, the SPCA and the Mossel Bay Municipality, met on Friday, 26 January, to discuss waterfowl matters occurring within the estuary.

This is according to a statement by the task team.

In an article by Mossel Bay Advertiser in November last year (Fate of Great Brak geese to be reassessed in 2024), Mossel Bay Municipality had confirmed the issue would be discussed again this year. 

Various organisations are of the opinion the geese should be removed, but all members of the community do not agree.

Following the task team meeting, "the task team then met with stakeholders, including the Great Brak River Conservancy and local landowners, to discuss the uncontrolled domesticated geese occurring within the estuarine functional zone of the estuary".

According to the statement, a number of possible solutions were tabled with the stakeholders in an effort to find an appropriate solution to this "urban dilemma which is impacting the natural environment".

"It was agreed by all that a local landowner, who volunteered, will explore the possibility of capturing the geese and containing them on his farm. The farm is within the Great Brak area and will allow for the geese to be visited by locals and tourists.

"The landowner will engage with the SPCA on the requirements regarding access to adequate shelter, water, food and other requirements for the geese. The landowner will report back at the coming Estuary Advisory Forum meeting on the progress and next steps." 

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