Estuaries

South Africa has approximately 290 estuaries along its coastline, representing some of the most ecologically productive and biodiverse environments in the country. These transitional zones – where freshwater rivers meet the sea – provide critical habitats for fish nurseries, waterbirds, invertebrates, and estuarine-dependent plant communities. They also deliver important ecosystem services including coastal protection, water filtration, carbon storage, and support for recreational fisheries and tourism. Despite their ecological and economic value, South African estuaries are under increasing pressure from reduced freshwater inflows, poor water quality, urban development, sedimentation, and climate change.

Maintaining the ecological functioning of estuaries requires an adequate supply of freshwater from upstream catchments, making estuary health directly linked to broader water resource management decisions. The resources below provide access to data and information on the condition, biodiversity, and management of South Africa's estuaries.