“Healthy connected rivers are fundamental to human existence” Zeb Hogan – From Sea to Source 2.0
It is our obligation to our families, friends, future generations and mankind to protect and restore our rivers to ensure that people and animals have access to:
fresh drinking water;
sustainable food supplies;
biodiversity;
balanced ecosystems that can help flooding, drought and pollution;
healthy places for recreation and wellbeing; and
the economic services that rivers have to offer.
Our 5 year mission is to focus efforts in Africa by building a fish passage community and promoting and supporting their efforts. Read more…
Above photo: Sabie River, Kruger National Park (c) Marco Beers
With the African Swimways Initiative we want to start a movement of people and organisations working together across Africa to save migratory fish and free flowing rivers. The ambition is to get this theme on the political agenda and create commitment to make change. We are creating a supportive network of organisations, practitioners and managers. We want to provide our network with relevant information and tools that they can be used to implement projects that can open up and restore rivers for migratory fish. We are also working with local partners in our network to create public awareness with the vision to influence policy.
Status of migratory fish and their routes in Southern Africa
Uncovering the secrets of migratory fish
We are working on a report and database to provide a clearer understanding of the migratory fish behaviour and their routes in Southern Africa. This information is critical if we are to strengthen measures to protect migratory fish, inspire people and encourage appropriate policy and legislation.
The results from the review have already shown that approximately 130 fish species have migration tendencies in the region. Of these about 83% are considered severely data deficient.
Above Photo: Fish in South Africa (c) Jeremy Shelton
World Fish Migration Day(WFMD) is a one day global celebration to create awareness on the importance of free flowing rivers and migratory fish. Kerry Brink, from Reaching Rivers, is an integral part of the WFMD team and has been involved in the development of this international day of celebration since the first international WFMD in 2014. On October 24th, 2020, Reaching Rivers celebrated WFMD during an online full day webinar.
