Welcome to August month. “Here’s what’s been happening—and what’s ahead—in our world of conservation.”
In this issue
- WCC Comment on proposed development on a wetland in Vermont
- What did our art competition participants learn at Stony Point?
- Reviving the Paddavlei
- Academia Expo on Protected Areas
A housing development on a Wetland? Summary of WCC Comment on Erf 1486, Vermont - corner R43 and Lynx Avenue
Whale Coast Conservation (WCC) strongly objects to the proposed residential development on Erf 1486 in Vermont, Hermanus, as detailed in the June 2025 Basic Assessment Report (BAR). The site in question is environmentally sensitive, with approximately two thirds of the erf classified as wetland seasonal—and containing Critically Endangered Hangklip Sand Fynbos. The erf also falls within several protected zones: a Critical Biodiversity Area (CBA1), an Ecological Support Area (ESA2), and an Environmental Management Overlay Zone (EMOZ).
WCC argues that the ecological and hydrological importance of the erf renders it wholly unsuitable for development. The wetland forms part of a vital system stretching from the Bot River to the Vermont Pan and is hydrologically connected to surrounding areas, including the Whale Coast Nature Reserve. Ongoing restoration efforts and removal of invasive alien plants (AIPs) are increasing water levels, making accurate delineation of the wetland boundaries unreliable, especially under changing climate conditions.
The proposed development would result in irreversible damage, including the destruction of at least 500m² of endangered vegetation and permanent loss of habitat and wetland function. Attempts to mitigate this through an on-site “offset” are dismissed as flawed and misleading, with WCC criticising the limited study scope and disregard for the broader wetland system.
Despite claims of eco-sensitivity, the proposal is seen as “greenwashing,” with unsustainable management plans relying on a Home Owners’ Association (HOA) unlikely to ensure compliance with environmental protections. The development would compromise biodiversity, ecological connectivity, and flood mitigation potential—especially as climate change increases storm frequency and intensity.
WCC concludes that Erf 1486 should be withdrawn from development consideration entirely. Approval of the proposal would contravene environmental legislation, local planning guidelines, and national biodiversity —both permanent andgoals. They recommend that the application be rejected outright.
Schools visit Stony Point
Whale Coast Conservation (WCC) ran an art competition in Overstrand schools to promote awareness of the dire future of our penguins.
All the participating learners had an opportunity to visit CapeNature’s African Penguin colony at Stoney Point in Betty’s Bay.
What did they take home after their visit? Do African Penguins have a chance of survival?
CapeNature, the managing authority for Stony Point, conducts regular monitoring of the colony, which includes population census and chick condition. They also monitor for oiled, sick and injured birds, including for signs of predation.
Management interventions include habitat improvement – like the provision of artificial nests, and revegetation of the area to create breeding areas that are protected from the elements.
What are the population trends? Despite these efforts, the overall population is still decreasing.
The main cause of penguin decline has, until recently, been the competition for food with the fishing industry. Earlier this year, a court order compelled better protection of penguin foraging areas through more meaningful closures to fisheries. Stony Point is a case in point.
Have these measures had any impact on penguin numbers at Stony Point? Not really – it is still too soon to tell.
There is no visible upward trend or benefit yet from the extension of the fishing closures. At the end of this first year, various parameters such as chick condition will be looked at to assess the impact of closures. Chick condition can give an indication of feeding conditions at the time. Any impact on juvenile and adult survival will take longer to determine – more like six years – when they join the breeding population.
We hope that increased awareness among the youngsters of the perilous existence of our penguins will help to ensure that they are not the last generation to see them in the wild.
Reviving the Paddavlei
The Paddavlei – literally “frog vlei” – was originally a stable freshwater body with adjoining wetlands and a small milkwood dune forest, functioning as part of the Bot River estuary catchment. For decades, the Paddavlei remained a robust ecosystem, supporting waterbirds, fish, and local community recreation, with little change recorded between 1938 and the early 2000s.
Starting roughly ten years ago, factors such as alien vegetation encroachment in the catchment, stormwater pipelines diverting fresh inflow, illegal dumping, and sewage runoff triggered a drastic decline – reducing open water by ~70–80%, encouraging reed proliferation, and nearly eliminating aquatic fauna.
However, driven by strong community activism by Paddavlei Ecosystem Group (PEG) and support from Whale Coast Conservation, the Municipality and the Table Mountain Fund, a multipronged rehabilitation effort – with stormwater control, water quality testing, reed clearing, public education, and ecosystem planning – is underway. These combined measures mark a promising path toward restoring the vlei’s health and reinforcing its importance as a local ecological asset.
Recently a cleanup of the vlei was led by Marine Coastal Conservation. Despite the cold, rainy weather, the efforts of the participants left a warm feeling. Sarah Taylor reported that 700kg of waste, mostly plastic, was retrieved in just an hour.
Academia Expo on Protected Areas
WCC took their expo on Protected Areas to Gansbaai Academia at the end of July. A total of 126 Grade 8 learners attended.
The educators arrived at Academia full of enthusiasm. The expo was all about the importance of protected areas and their role in conserving South Africa’s unique biodiversity – both terrestrial and marine.
Sheraine van Wyk gave an overview of the importance of protected areas.
Volunteer Tertia Hendricks highlighted the importance of Marine Protected Areas – small areas which serve to protect and enhance fish stocks to the benefit of both the ocean and the fishing industry.
Sheraine van Wyk emphasised the plight of the critically endangered African Penguin – a situation caused primarily by overfishing of their prey species – sardines and anchovies. The penguins’ survival is in direct competition with the lucrative purse-seine fishery.
Shirley Mgoboza highlighted the role of private protected land in conservation of biodiversity. She explained that private nature reserves have an important role to play in managing and maintaining our biodiverse heritage and are vitally necessary to contribute to achieving the 30-by-30 biodiversity targets.
Volunteer Judy MacFarlaine explained that biodiversity is the foundation of life on Earth. Protecting it isn’t just about saving animals and plants – it’s about safeguarding our own future too.
Volunteer Kathie Buley talked about the nature reserves in our area and their importance in conserving our precious biodiversity and promoting tourism, which, in turn, promotes economic growth.
Quotes from learners after the expo:
Today we learned…
… that we must protect our environment for our own benefit.
… that biodiversity is a variety of life on earth.
The learners were unanimous that they had learned a lot and had had fun into the bargain. The educators found the learners enthusiastic and eager to explore new concepts and information.
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