Lcal Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning
With regard to the protection of the Knysna seahorse in the Knysna lagoon, which is threatened by ongoing pollution:
(a) What steps has his Department taken to monitor and address the pollution affecting the lagoon, (b)(i) what is the current status of the water quality in the lagoon and (ii) what trends in water quality have been recorded over the past three financial years, (c)(i) what is the most recent estimated population size of the Knysna seahorse in the lagoon and (ii) what monitoring of the population is currently being undertaken and (d) what measures are being implemented to protect and conserve the Knysna seahorse popula-tion?
The Department of Environmental Affairs and Development Planning (DEA&DP) has issued two Directives to the Knysna Municipality, dated 29 February 2024, and 20 March 2025 respectively. The 2nd Directive was drafted in line with the Consolidated Executive Obligations’ Monitoring and Enforcement Framework (CEOMEF Plan) as part of the Section 154 Support Plan, which the DEA&DP submitted regular and detailed feedback into. A criminal case has also been opened against Knysna Municipality for the ongoing and significant pollution of the Bigai River which flows into the Knysna Estuary. Knysna Municipality recently confirmed the stance of entering into a Plea and Sentence Agreement, which is currently underway. The DEA&DP has participated in all the joint compliance and enforcement blitz operations planned and implemented and has provided detailed feedback to both Knysna Municipality and other stakeholders/authorities on compliance monitoring during inspections of the pollution sites included in our administrative and criminal cases.
Kindly note that the other water resources such as the Saltriver, Bongani stream and Waste Water Treatment Works (WWTW) are addressed in the Breede Olifants Catchment Management Agency (BOCMA) notices and their respective criminal cases opened against Knysna Municipality for the continued non-compliance and ongoing pollution of the respective rivers etc. BOCMA should thus also be consulted for feedback on their notices issued, in order to obtain a comprehensive enforcement action framework.
- (i) what is the current status of the water quality in the lagoon and (ii) what trends in water quality have been recorded over the past three financial years,
DEA&DP is not responsible for monitoring the water quality in the estuary. As a protected area, it falls under the responsibility of the National Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) and the South African National Parks (SANParks) and they should be contacted for information. The Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) conducts regular sampling of numerous inflow points into the estuary monitoring the E. coli levels specifically, in terms of their health mandate. These results can be requested from Municipal Health Services for a longer term of reference regarding the fluctuating levels over time. In summary, these results have indicated significant pollution and sewerage inflow into the estuary, including from rivers and stormwater outlets. This data supports the need for urgent implementation of the CEOMEF plan to address the significant infrastructural challenges in Knysna. Knysna Municipality is severely lacking in human resource capacity to adequately monitor, repair and maintain sewerage infrastructure. This is one of the highest priorities in the afore-mentioned plan. Extensive informality and vandalism are also significant contributors to this poor water quality, and identified for actions.
- (i) what is the most recent estimated population size of the Knysna seahorse in the lagoon and (ii) what monitoring of the population is currently being undertaken and
The Knysna Estuary is a protected environment under the National Environmental Management: Protected Areas Act (NEMPAA), with SANParks the designated management authority of the Knysna Estuary. SANParks has indicated that to date, two population assessments have been conducted for the Knysna seahorse, in 2000 (Knysna Estuary) and 2001-03 (Knysna, Swartvlei and Keurbooms Estuaries).
Since its listing as Endangered in 2000, the IUCN indicates that the species has a decreasing population trend. The IUCN lists the following threats to the species: (1) residential and commercial / industrial development in and around the estuaries; (2) human intrusions and disturbance including recreational activities, (3) pollution, including waste water and agricultural and forestry effluents; (4) biological resource use such as fishing and harvesting of aquatic resources; (5) natural system modifications through dams and water management/use; and (6) climate change and severe weather, including temperature extremes, storms and flooding events.
SANParks is currently undertaking a population assessment which should be concluded by the end of 2026 (funding dependent).
SANParks Scientific Services as the responsible authority should be contacted for up-to-date information on the status and management of the Knysna seahorse population.
(d) what measures are being implemented to protect and conserve the Knysna seahorse population?
SANParks has indicated that measures to protect the species include its listing in the NEMPAA Threatened or Protected Species (TOPS) Regulations which prohibits collecting or handling of Knysna seahorses; zonation of estuaries to protect sensitive environments (e.g. through Protected Area Management Plans and Estuary Management Plans); as well as regulating activities within the Estuarine Functional Zone through appropriate legislation. For further information, please contact SANParks Scientific Services.
