GOOD NEWS FOR OVERBERG ESTUARIES

The new estuary management co-ordinator for the Overstrand area, Sue Matthews, began work a week ago [17 June], and is getting to grips with the many issues affecting our estuaries - the jewels of the Overstrand coastline.
Sue is contracted to the Overstrand Municipality in a position funded by WWF-SA and the Table Mountain Fund. Her tasks include assisting with the implementation of the estuary management plans for the Klein and Bot River estuaries and others as they are completed, supporting the management forums set up for these estuaries, liasing with government officials and other organisations involved in catchment management, communicating with stakeholders and raising public awareness about the need for estuary management.
Sue obtained a Masters degree in marine ecology from UCT in 1991 and has been self-employed for much of the last decade, focussing on environmental communications work. This experience has given her a broad knowledge of subjects as diverse as marine and coastal management, environmental impact assessment, river health, pollution and invasive alien species.

Pierre de Villiers, Coordinater of the CAPE Estuaries Programme, believes Matthews' appointment will make a big difference. "The problem all over South Africa is that there is no capacity at local level to implement management interventions identified as priorities by estuary management plans. Getting at least one estuary manager/co-ordinator at each local authority is therefore crucial. This position will be the first and will lead the way for South Africa - time will tell."
De Villiers said there has been good progress as far as the Klein River Estuary goes. "The different government departments (including the municipality) and the various stakeholder groups are starting to work together and not against each other. This is a very positive result. The estuary manager needs to build on this and make sure there is good participation from all groups. It must be understood that there is no one government department or user group that has the sole management mandate for the estuary. Therefore it is citical that the estuary manager understands who is responsible for what and what legislation supports the management action.

Sue is based in the Environmental Management Department’s offices at Fernwood Nature Reserve in Hermanus. She can be contacted on 028 313 8100 or via email at smatthews@overstrand.gov.za

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