Given the overwhelming evidence available on the significance of freshwater inflow to estuary functionality in South Africa, it is clear that an important component of catchment management is the allocation of river water into estuaries. This book provides economic guidance on the matter through valuable comparisons of different estuaries.
"The problem with estuarine freshwater demand is that estuaries are the last in line" stresses Johane Dikgang, author of the new book Values for water inflows into selected South African estuaries.
He adds: 'This is why, it is imperative that the value of freshwater inflows into estuaries be determined and these values incorporated into catchment management decision making'. In the book, values for seven estuaries were generated, the Heuningnes, Kleinmond, Klein, Palmiet, Cefane, Kwelera and Haga-Haga. Indeed, South African estuaries have in the past mainly been managed on a piecemeal basis-sometimes in the interest of fishermen, sometimes property development owners and sometimes other local interest groups. This situation changed with the National Water Act of 1998. One of its objectives was to address the mismanagement and inadequate research about water inflow impacts on estuaries.