Benchmarking knowledge-based adaptive management of estuarine fisheries in South Africa for a sustainable development

The exposed South African coastline hosts more than 250 sheltered estuaries, which provide fishery opportunities for both subsistence and recreation. Unfortunately, most of the sought-after, large-bodied fish species are overexploited, with some stocks being subject to collapse. This threatens the sustainability of the fishery and the livelihoods of fishers and communities. For 20 years, researchers from the South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity (SAIAB) and the Norwegian Institute for Nature Research (NINA) have investigated the behaviour and vulnerability of prominent estuarine fish species to provide knowledge for improved management. These findings, although important, have had little direct influence on policy and regulation. Therefore, we concluded that knowledge-based, adaptive fisheries management also requires social, economic and ecological knowledge and considerations. This multidisciplinary study of estuary fisheries management now also included key researchers from SAIAB, NINA and Nelson Mandela University (NMU) and aimed to provide recommendations for adaptive management of important coastal and estuarine fisheries by combining knowledge from fisheries studies with in-depth social scientific research. Utilizing a suite of methodologies across five distinct work packages our SANOCEAN aim to: (i) Review estuary and coastal use and habitat connectivity for key estuarine fish species using existing and new data, (ii) Map movement and ecology of important fishery species in the estuary (iii) Compare the values of two important estuarine fisheries; one being recreation-dominated and the other subsistence-dominated, (iv) Study the governance dynamics of estuarine and coastal fisheries, and (v) Provide management recommendations and implementation based on (i) to (iv). The projects recommendations for managers, politicians and stakeholders are presented in the report «Benchmarking knowledge-based adaptive management of estuarine fisheries in South Africa for sustainable development. Synopsis of project outcomes and management recommendations for estuarine fisheries». The project concludes that estuarine fisheries cannot be managed in isolation by only taking resources and fishers into account. Estuaries must be co-managed as socio-ecological systems that have critical linkages from their catchment areas to the marine environment. A holistic approach to management, supported by multi-disciplinary research that is inclusive of all knowledge systems, is the only way to improve estuarine functioning and allow for the sustainable provision of goods and services. Key areas that need to be addressed to improve management of estuaries and their resources: • Consistent integration of scientific, practical, Indigenous and local knowledge systems and knowledge holders for an improved understanding of complex social-ecological estuarine ecosystems. • Improved management and law enforcement through capacity development, integration of all stakeholder groups, increased financial resources and funding at all levels of governance. • Strengthen current cooperative governance processes, including policy and legislative coherence to ensure a co-ordinated approach to estuary management. • All stakeholders need to recognise and understand the complicated dynamics of socio-economic inequalities and apartheid legacy issues that continue to marginalise and exclude certain individuals and communities from equitable access to estuaries and their resources to enable a better response to resource use challenges. • Stakeholder processes, methodologies and pathways need to be addressed to allow for users to contribute meaningfully to management processes and stewardship of estuaries. This will reduce tensions and conflict, and build trust. • Inclusion and acknowledgement of multiple benefits and services in fisheries management within estuaries is essential. This would include cultural benefits and health. • Manage and restore vital ecosystem functions through addressing water quality and quantity as a main driver. This could include wastewater treatment management and ecosystem restoration. • Build capacity for research integration in estuarine management to adequately address and manage estuaries as complex socio-ecological systems. • Effective implementation of the proposed new fisheries regulations and the establishment of Estuarine Protected Areas, in close collaboration with estuarine stakeholders, with linkages to the marine environment is essential for sustainable estuarine fisheries. • Scenario planning and adaptive management approaches to address emerging serious threats to estuarine functioning posed by mining activities, both legal and illegal, and alien and invasive species. • Ensure the development and implementation of estuary management plans, which provides a vital tool for facilitating the integrated management of estuaries as socio-ecological systems.

WP 1 - Almost 400 individual fish from 5 estuary species (dusky kob, white steenbras, spotted grunter, leervis, Cape stumpnose) have been tagged over the last 20 yrs, and data on their movements have been collected. Besides independent papers, all these data have been synthesised into a review manuscript of fish behaviour in estuaries, as well as contemplating management consequences. This manuscript is will be submitted to the journal “Fisheries Management and Ecology” in 2023. WP 2 - A total of 78 fish from the three focal species (spotted grunter, leervis and dusky kob) have been tagged with long-life transmitters in the Breede Esturay. These data, particularly that of dusky kob, are now being used in a management plan driven by CapeNature. Bantony Ziko (MSc graduated 2021) has submitted a paper on his work on spotted grunter, while Godfrey Padare and Vuyolwethu Mxo (MSc graduated October 2022 and April 2023) have at least one paper from their thesis (spotted grunter and leervis) in draft format. WP 3 & 4 Extension funding was awarded to one MSc (Chilo Loyolah Nonyane) and one PhD (Mia Strand) candidate in to complete their studies. Both students will submit their theses by the end of July 2023. Siphesihle Booi, former masters student on the project is also currently undertaking a PhD. Loyolah, Mia and Siphesihle will all represent this SANOCEAN project at the closing function in Norway in September 2023. WP 5 – A full project report has been compiled and are being to distributed. This document, along with a report synthesis, which is also being translated into isiXhosa, isiZulu and Afrikaans, will be distributed to all relevant institutions, including government bodies, management authorities, local management forums, research institutions, universities, and other stakeholders. It will also be made available via the SAIAB and NINA websites. In summary: Eleven students, of which 64% are African, and 64% are female, have been involved in the greater project, or have used data incorporated into the SANOCEAN project's final report (particularly related to wp 1 - collate all data collected on almost 400 fishes tagged over the past 15 years, and in ongoing studies). The SANOCEAN team has produced a number of scientific manuscripts, with at least 19 being published to date. This is more than double the initial target set at the beginning of this project. We anticipate at least another 10 manuscripts stemming from this work. Some of this work has also been presented by various team members and students at, at least 8 different conferences. Work related to WPs 4 and 5 have seen a cumulative number of 20 webinars and workshops involving team members and stakeholders from various representative groups. Synopsis of project outcomes and management recommendations are published in the report: Benchmarking knowledge-based adaptive management of estuarine fisheries in South Africa for sustainable development.

The exposed South African coastline hosts more than 250 sheltered estuaries, which provide fishery opportunities for both subsistence and recreational users. Unfortunately, most of the sought-after, large-bodied, fishery species are overexploited, and the stocks of some have collapsed. This threatens the sustainability of the fishery and the livelihoods of fishers and vulnerable communities. For 15 years researchers from SAIAB and NINA have investigated the behaviour and vulnerability of prominent estuarine fishery species to provide new knowledge for improved management. However, these findings have had little direct influence on policy formulation. A knowledge-based ecosystem approach to fisheries management requires social, economic and ecological considerations. The aim of this multidisciplinary study is to provide recommendations for adaptive management of important coastal and estuarine fisheries by using knowledge from past and ongoing behavioural ecology studies and new socio-economic research. This will be achieved using a suite of methodologies deployed in five distinct work plans: (i) Review of estuary and coastal use and habitat connectivity of estuarine fishery species using old and new data, (ii) Behavioural ecology of important fishery species in the Breede Estuary – a case study, (iii) Economic evaluation of a recreational (Breede) and a subsistence (Great Fish) dominated fisheries, (iv) Social and governance dynamics of estuarine and coastal fisheries and (v) Adaptive management recommendations and implementation based on WP1-4. In pursuit of knowledge-based, adaptive management for estuarine and coastal fisheries in South Africa, this study will conduct world-class research and develop human capacity, with emphasis on post-graduate students from historically disadvantaged universities and female researchers to strengthen research in the thematic areas Ocean Space and the Blue Economy and Environment as outlined in the SANOCEAN Framework.