The Grootvadersbosch Conservancy have been hard at work, protecting a river that sustains not only a community but a tiny fish facing extinction.
Barrydale, South Africa (22 October 2025) – In the Huis River near Barrydale lives a fish so small you could easily miss it. The Tradouw redfin, a freshwater species found nowhere else in the world, has been edging closer to extinction. Its home river faces pressure from invasive alien plants and fish, ongoing water use, and the droughts that batter this region of the Western Cape.
The Huis River doesn’t only keep this little fish alive, it’s also Barrydale’s lifeline, supplying water to the town and nearby farms. Protecting the river means protecting both people and wildlife that depend on it.
The Grootvadersbosch Conservancy has been rolling up sleeves in a restoration project that aims to improve the quality of the river system, protect the redfin, and create jobs within the Barrydale community.
So far, the project has cleared harmful alien plants along a 7km stretch of riverbank and replanted with indigenous species. The Conservancy has worked with the community and local municipality to improve the water efficiency of the system, easing dependence on the river during dry spells.
They’ve also created awareness with open days and workshops that have helped residents understand the importance of the Huis River’s health and the plight of its unique species.
All current and planned activities are integrated into a Species Action Plan developed alongside the government to secure ongoing support for the collective action needed to protect the river and its redfin.
The project recently gained praise internationally in the 2025 Reverse the Red Accelerator Awards at the World Conservation Congress in Abu Dhabi. Out of hundreds of entries from around the world, it was one of only nine winners.
The awards shine a light on projects that help stop the slide of species into extinction, guided by leading scientists and conservation organisations including the IUCN Species Survival Commission and the Zoological Society of London.
Winners receive funding, access to global networks, and training to expand their vital work.
The Conservancy will use this much-deserved extra backing for a translocation project which involves finding safe, predator-free waters to establish new redfin populations while continuing to restore their home river. These refuges could be upstream stretches of the Huis River or local dams free of invasive fish.
“Winning this prize is a huge honour,” says Grootvadersbosch Conservancy General Manager Aileen Anderson. “We were up against major environmental organisations from across the globe, all doing incredible work to protect their own threatened species. This award is not only a testament to the work of the Grootvadersbosch Conservancy, but also a reminder of the massive threats facing this freshwater fish.”
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