Groenvlei Carp Project

The Invasive Fish Species Management Non Profit Company (IFSM) consists of a group of volunteers that approached CapeNature in 2018 to remove invasive carp from Groenvlei lake by means of fishing bows. During 2018 and 2019 a total of 2802 carp were removed and disposed of. The harvesting methods were later adapted to also include the use of nets of various mesh sizes to catch and remove the carp.

During 2020 the Covid 19 pandemic created financial pressure on local communities due to people being unemployed during this period. Non-profit organisations and the local authorities supported communities in need with food parcels. CapeNature in partnership with Knysna Municipality, the IFSM group and Gift of the Givers initiated a project where carp harvested by IFSM were distributed to the community with the assistance of Gift of the Givers and the local authority. From 19 July 2021 to 1 May 2021, 1376 carp with a total weight of 3721,99 kg was supplied to communities as food.

Carp were also supplied to “soup kitchens” in the community that prepared the carp and offered it as a meal to people in need.

This project not only benefits the local community but also the health of the ecosystem and is a win-win situation for all.