eNews

#03 2025

Impacts of overfishing in arid regions – could aquaculture be the solution?

By Zanele Ntshidi, SAEON Arid Lands Node & Arid Region Water Research Centre

The Arid Lands Node has been collaborating with the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) on numerous interventions aimed at conserving the environment and natural resources found in it. In DFFE’s recent intervention to introduce aquaculture to fishermen and school learners in the Ritchie and Pampierstad towns, covering the Sol Plaatje and Phokwane local municipalities of the Frances Baard district, they invited SAEON’s Arid Lands Node to raise awareness about the negative impacts of overfishing on local rivers.

Rivers in the arid region, where locals catch fish that sustains their livelihoods  

In the Northern Cape province, the Vaal River is important for many as it is the primary source of drinking water for the municipalities it passes through. This river is also famous for recreational activities such as fishing.

While some people undertake fishing as a leisure activity, for some it is a primary source of food or income. This is particularly the case for the community of Ritchie in Sol Plaatje local municipality (fishing from the Modder River, a tributary of the Vaal River system) and the community of Pampierstad in Phokwane local municipality (fishing from the Harts River).

The local fishers shared this reality during the aquaculture awareness sessions organised by DFFE. Some community members even shared the sad reality of how they had to leave school to start fishing for the survival of their families. “This is a hustle that brings food to the table,” a fisherman said.

Arid region map showing the rivers where Ritchie and Pampierstad communities catch fish, indicated by a fish image and a red arrow.

When conditions do not allow for technology, we still get the science to the people, even if we must share the information under a tree, endorsing sustainable practices and the protection of natural resources.

Raising awareness among local communities about the negative impacts of overfishing  

When the community take fish out of the river system at a faster rate than stocks can replenish, the fish species are at risk of declining, or even worse, of fish stocks being depleted. In the latter case, ecosystem services within that river system can be disrupted and there is a risk of extinction. For small-scale fishers like the Ritchie and Pampierstad communities, who rely heavily on daily catches for both food and income, declining fish stocks spell disaster as the entire community risk losing their livelihoods as fish populations may continue to plummet.

Dr Zanele Ntshidi of SAEON’s Arid Lands Node and representatives from DFFE raise awareness about the impacts of overfishing among (left) the Ritchie community and (right) the Pampierstad community.

Value chain for local fishers  

While local fishers explained how they fish as a means of feeding themselves and their families, other community members explained how they sell fish in local towns and even in other provinces like Northwest and Gauteng.

Fish caught from the Harts River by Pampierstad fishers, showing (left) fish stock in a bar fridge, ready to be sold locally and packed for sale in other towns, , and (right) fresh fish fried for immediate consumption.

A more sustainable way of fishing  

DFFE officials introduced the locals and school learners to a new concept of aquaculture, a more controlled cultivation of fish for food. In aquaculture the breeding of fish takes place in constructed ponds or tanks. Fish can be raised in these controlled conditions and harvested in a more sustainable manner.

The locals and school learners had been unaware that such farming exists. The learners were excited to hear about this career option that was completely new to them. DFFE officials shared bursary opportunities with the learners and training opportunities in aquaculture with the community members.

Lessons on aquaculture offered by DFFE officials to learners of (left) Rietvale High School in Ritchie and (right) Kgomotso High School in Pampierstad.