Estuaries are the most threatened and vulnerable ecosystems in SA along with wetlands — critically needing protection — and the Western Cape’s draft estuarine management plans are starting to take shape.

The Western Cape has the highest number of estuaries in SA, with 54 estuaries and 38 micro-estuaries, but the Eastern Cape has more big estuaries. SA’s largest is the Orange River estuary in the Northern Cape, which drains more than half a million kilometres.

Wouter Kriel, spokesperson for Anton Bredell, the Western Cape minister of local government, environmental affairs and development planning, said more than 100 parties had responded to the draft plans after they invited public participation in February...