Rationale
(Changed due to Same category and criteria)
The Vaal-Orange Smallmouth Yellowfish (Labeobarbus aeneus) species remains widespread and common in the Orange and Vaal rivers, and large tributaries of each of these rivers as well as common in larger public dams (e.g. Vaal Dam, Gariep Dam) within its natural range (de Villiers and Ellender 2007). First assessed in 2007 as Least Concern this assessment was updated in 2016. The new information received has not resulted in a change in status and the status for L. aenues remains Least Concern.
Distribution
Occurs naturally in the Orange-Vaal River System, South Africa’s largest river system, where it is widespread and common, but it has also been translocated widely for angling purposes and through inter-basin water transfers in South Africa to the Gourits, Great Fish, Kei and Limpopo River systems and even to the Matirikwe Dam in Zimbabwe (De Moor and Bruton 1988, Skelton 2001, de Villiers and Ellender 2007).
Potential hybridization between this species and other yellowfishes such as Labeobarbus kimberleyensis must be investigated further, since it can be caused by river regulation, interbasin water transfers and indiscriminant stocking of yellowfishes for angling purposes (de Villiers and Ellender 2007, Swartz 2007). Pollution, from poorly maintained Waste Water Treatment Plants at towns next to rivers, is an increasing problem in the Orange-Vaal River System, culminating in eutrophic instream dams and rivers (de Villiers and Ellender 2007). Major fish kills have occurred in recent years in the Vaal River due to sewage spillage (de Villiers and Ellender 2007), but there are many rivers and dams that provide good to excellent habitat and water quality, where this species is abundant and secure from pollution. The species also seems tolerant of low to moderate pollution levels.
Uses and trade
This species is a very popular angling species and highly prized by flyfishers because of its aesthetic appeal (fish are golden yellow in summer) and fighting qualities (de Villiers and Ellender 2007, O’Brien et al. 2013). It is the most commonly caught yellowfish in South Africa. It is also a popular subsistence species, with large numbers of fish caught by poor rural people. Of concern, are increasing reports of fish being caught in rivers and dams using gill nets by subsistence fishers. This is illegal in South Africa, unless permits from provincial conservation authorities are issued.
Conservation
A range of stakeholders including regulatory authorities, anglers and scientific institutions established the national Yellowfish Working Group (YWG) in South Africa in 1997. The aim of this group was to increase knowledge, awareness and conservation actions for the yellowfish group, especially amongst user groups such as anglers (Impson et al. 2007). There has been a major focus on promoting catch and release amongst anglers and ensuring that anglers do not translocate yellowfish species into catchments where they are not native (Swartz 2007). The YWG has held annual conferences and produced status reports for the different yellowfish species (see Impson et al. 2007). Several subpopulations are in protected areas that include dams or rivers that contain large populations of L. aeneus for example Augrabies National Park.
[@article{18475,
author = {Skelton, P.H.},
title = {A Complete Guide to the Freshwater Fishes of Southern Africa},
year = {2001}
}
,@electronic{2426,
address = {www.iucnredlist.org},
author = {IUCN},
title = {The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2017-3},
year = {2017}
}
,@techreport{2562,
address = {Pretoria, South Africa},
author = {De Moor, I.J. and Bruton, M.N.},
institution = {Foundation for Research Development, Council for Sscientific and Industrial Research},
title = {Atlas of alien and translocated indigenous aquatic animals in southern Africa},
year = {1988}
}
,@techreport{63289,
author = {Impson, N.D.},
title = {Technical report on the state of yellowfishes in South Africa.},
year = {2007}
}
,@techreport{63289,
address = {Pretoria},
author = {De Villiers, P. & B. Ellender},
institution = {Water Research Commission Report KV 212/08},
title = {Status of the Orange-Vaal smallmouth yellowfish},
year = {2007}
}
,@article{63289,
author = {O’Brien, G.C., Jacobs, F., Cronje, L., Wepener, V. & N.J. Smit},
journal = {S.A. J. Science },
number = {7/8},
pages = {1--8},
title = {Habitat preferences and movement of adult yellowfishes in the Vaal River, South Africa},
volume = {109},
year = {2013}
}
,@techreport{63289,
address = {Pretoria},
author = {Swartz, E. },
institution = {Water Research Commission Report KV 212/08},
title = {Managing translocations and alien populations of yellowfish and other large cyprinid species},
year = {2007}
}
,@phdthesis{63289,
author = {Stadtlander, T},
school = {University of Bremen},
title = {Comparative biology of the smallmouth yellowfish Labeobarbus aeneus in Glen Melville Reservoir and the Great Fish River, Eastern Cape, South Africa},
year = {2006}
}
,]
