LOCAL

The Berg River Estuary in the Western Cape has been declared as South Africa’s 28th wetland of international importance.

Situated at Velddrif, close to St Helena Bay where the Berg River flows into the sea, the estuary spans an area of over 1 000 hectares. The department of forestry, fisheries and the environment says the wetland is considered a super ecosystem because of its contribution to the provision of water and providing a habitat to a large variety of migratory birds.

It says despite their significance to human life, wetlands are threatened nationally and globally, and it is important to preserve them.