Uilkraals Situation Assessment - Anchor Environmental

2. Establish a Marine Protected Area on the estuary incorporating the most significantbird habitats and fish nursery areas as well as a representative section of all habitattypes present in the estuary (mudflat, salt marsh, submerged and emergentvegetation)3. Develop a zonation plan in which 50% of the MPA (not necessarily contiguous) isdeclared a no‐take zone;4. The whole protected area to be managed by the provincial (CapeNature), district(Overberg District Municipality) or local (Overstrand Municipality) authority.The details of the above will have to be finalised in consultation with stakeholders. AnchorEnvironmental Consultants will draw up a detailed management plan including plans for theproposed protected area based on outcomes of the consultative process.5.8 Potential and need for restoration on the Uilkraals EstuaryThere is no specific legislation pertaining to the restoration of ecosystems. The estuary hasbeen highly modified and is classified as being largely modified, and has been identified as onein which there is a need for rehabilitation. In the case of the Uilkraals Estuary restoration of theestuary to a better state of health would be straightforward, and would mainly entail (in orderof priority):1. Restoration of the quantity of freshwater inflows;2. Restoration of water quality;3. Removing significant obstructions to flow; and4. Removal of alien vegetation.In general, the degree to which these factors should be managed to restore the health of thesystem depends largely on the vision that is developed for the estuary, and on its futureprotection status. Protection status will provide a strong case for the provision of restoringflow quality and quantity.Uilkraals Estuary Situation Assessment69Anchor Environmental