In a remarkable display of collaborative action, Gift of the Givers and CapeNature are working together to control an invasive carp fish species that threatens the delicate ecosystem of Groenvlei Lake while also feeding families in need!
Sedgefield, South Africa (27 January 2025) – Gift of the Givers is all about helping the environment and communities in need. In one of the organisation’s ongoing outreaches, it joined forces with CapeNature, a governmental organisation responsible for biodiversity conservation in the Western Cape. Together with the Invasive Fish Species Management (IFSM) which initiated the project in 2018, they have been working tirelessly to remove an invasive Carp fish species from Groenvlei Lake within the Goukamma Nature Reserve using fishing bows.
As prolific breeders, the invasive Carp can spawn several times a year releasing thousands of eggs into the ecosystem ranking them as one of the most invasive freshwater species in the world.
These prolific fish pose a significant threat to native species like the Estuarine Round Herring and Cape Silverside, which can be found in this unique freshwater lake.
The collaborative effort, supported by the Knysna Municipality, to control this invasive species has made great strides since its inception during the Covid-19 pandemic, fostering a balance in the ecosystem and delivering these fish to various soup kitchens to feed hungry communities.
This project not only benefits the local community but also the health of the ecosystem and has proved a win-win project for the environment and thousands of families in need. To date, close to 500,000 people have benefitted from these protein-rich meals!
“This joint venture is a prime example of how organisations can work together. Not only does this project benefit the environment but it creates employment, teaches skills and feeds those in need,” proudly shares the Gift of the Givers.
Sources: Gift of the Givers
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