Eco-Care Trust

27/10/2026

PROTECTING THE WATERS WE LOVE!

The Vaal River is more than just a fishing destination. It's home to an incredible ecosystem that deserves to be protected.

At the Vaal River Bass Classic 2026, we caught up with a representative from the Eco-Care Trust to talk about their Aquatic Monitoring Project and the importance of conserving our waterways and protecting biodiversity.

Because the future of fishing depends on the health of our rivers!

24/10/2026

Ecocare Trust at the Vaal River Bass Classic.

21/10/2026

12/10/2026

Eco-Care Trust has successfully conducted a series of aquatic conservation, monitoring and management projects at Rust de Winter Dam from 9 to 11 October 2026.

1 Water Hyacinth and Illegal Gillnet Removal Operation. Eco-Care Trust volunteers have removed plenty hyacinths in the salad bowl before it spread further in the main dam and downstream to Rhenosterkop Dam. No illegal gillnets were found during the operation.

2. Fish Species Count and Biodiversity Monitoring
Eco-Care Trust with the assistance of Salmo Artificial Lure Angling Club conducted a structured fish species survey to gather information on fish diversity and the ecological status of the dam. A number of 8 different fish species were caught. The small fish species like dwarf kurper, river sardine and ghieliemientjies are almost wiped out in the dam by small bass feeding in the shallow water where the small species hide.

3. Largemouth Bass Culling Competition
On Sunday 11 October 2026, Eco-Care Trust conducted a controlled bass culling competition with the assistance of volunteer bass anglers on motorboats. The purpose of the competition was to assist with the management of largemouth bass populations and reducing potential pressure on indigenous fish species.

Congratulations to all the winners of the AIM Bass Culling competion sponsored by Rust de Winter Conservancy!

07/10/2026

Come and join our Conservation and Aquatic Management Projects at Rust de Winter Dam on 9–11 October 2026!

Eco-Care Trust will conduct a series of aquatic conservation, monitoring and management projects at Rust de Winter Dam at 10 October 2026.

Water Hyacinth and Illegal Gillnet Removal Operation
The identification and removal of water hyacinth and unlawful gillnets encountered during the operation. Eco-Care Trust has done several hyacinths removal projects at Rust de Winter Dam in recent years. Currently we are supporting a project by the Rust de Winter Conservancy and the Centre for Biological Control (CBC) establishing hyacinth hopper rearing stations at Rust de Winter Dam. This rearing station will supply enough hyacinths hoppers (Megamelus scutellaris) to control a possible hyacinths infestation at the dam. On 10 October volunteers will remove hyacinths in the salad bowl before it spread further in the main dam and downstream to Rhenosterkop Dam. Any illegal gillnets will also be removed.

Please contact us if you can assist with the Hyacinth /gillnet project.
You get free entrance at the gates. We need your name if you participate in this project.

The participant taking out most hyacinths wins R500 cash!

Link: https://www.justsc.co.za

02/10/2026

Come and join our Conservation and Aquatic Management Projects at Rust de Winter Dam on 9–11 October 2026!

Eco-Care Trust will conduct a series of aquatic conservation, monitoring and management projects at Rust de Winter Dam from 9 to 11 October 2026.

The proposed activities form part of Eco-Care Trust’s ongoing commitment to the conservation and responsible management of South Africa’s freshwater aquatic ecosystems. The following projects are scheduled to take place at Rust de Winter Dam:

1. Water Hyacinth and Illegal Gillnet Removal Operation
The identification and removal of water hyacinth and unlawful gillnets encountered during the operation. Eco-Care Trust has done several hyacinths removal projects at Rust de Winter Dam in recent years. Currently we are supporting a project by the Rust de Winter Conservancy and the Centre for Biological Control (CBC) establishing hyacinth hopper rearing stations at Rust de Winter Dam. This rearing station will supply enough hyacinths hoppers (Megamelus scutellaris) to control a possible hyacinths infestation at the dam. On 10 October volunteers will remove hyacinths in the salad bowl before it spread further in the main dam and downstream to Rhenosterkop Dam. Any illegal gillnets will also be removed.

2. Fish Species Count and Biodiversity Monitoring
Eco-Care Trust will on 10 October with the assistance of Salmo Artificial Lure Angling Club conduct a structured fish species survey to gather information on fish diversity and the ecological status of the dam. Fish will be identified, recorded and handled in accordance with appropriate fish-handling procedures, with indigenous species protected and released.

3. Largemouth Bass Culling Competition
On Sunday 11 October 2026, Eco-Care Trust will conduct a controlled bass culling competition with the assistance of volunteer bass anglers on motorboats. The purpose of the competition is to assist with the management of largemouth bass populations and reducing potential pressure on indigenous fish species. The competition has the support of SASACC and EBass and will be conducted in accordance with approved fish-handling procedures imposed by the relevant authorities.

All bass anglers are invited to join the AIM Bass competition which have good cash prizes to win sponsored by the Rustt de Winter Conservancy.

Link: https://www.justsc.co.za

23/09/2026

Don't miss this bass competition presented by Eco-Care Trust at RDW on 11 October 2026. Rust de Winter needs a bass culling to ensure fish species diversity and better quality bass in the dam. The competition is running on the same principles as the Loskop Dam Aim Competition and is supported by all serious bass anglers. Thanks for RDW Conservancy for its support! Online entries now open at www.justsc.co.za The competition rules also on this website. Limited tickets. See you there!

18/08/2026

Hyacinths at Rust de Winter Dam, what can be done?

🌿 THE WAR AGAINST WATER HYACINTH CONTINUES! 💧
Rust de Winter Dam is facing a growing battle against invasive water hyacinth – and manual removal is no longer enough.
With crocodiles, hippos, dense reed beds and rapidly spreading hyacinth making the fight even tougher, Eco-Care Trust, LEDET, the Rust de Winter Conservancy and the Centre for Biological Control are taking a new approach. 🦗
Thousands of hyacinth hoppers will be released to help keep this invasive plant under control – a long-term biological solution that could make a real difference.
🌱 Read the full story and discover how the battle is being fought.
https://foranglers.co.za/hoppers-join-the-war-against-water-hyacinth-at-rust-de-winter-dam/

21/07/2026

In fulfilling our mission to conserve our aquatic ecosystems for future generations, Eco-Care Trust has recently executed another successful gillnet removal operation. This operation was done at Roodekoppies Dam in Northwest Province.
We are thankful for the assistance of SAPS, Northwest Provincial Nature Conservation and Rangers of Northwest Parks an Tourism Board ( NWPTB) with the operation. Many illegal gillnets were removed by the Eco-Care Trust gillnet busters. This operation was done in coordination with the community safety group at Roodekoppies Dam.
However, such operations can only be sustainable with the financial support of people and business. You are welcome to contact Eco-Care Trust an NGO/NBO with donations or sponsorship opportunities in this regard. Find us at: http://www.ecocare.org.za/

08/07/2026

A big thanks to Boat Boutique for keeping The Ecocare Trust boat on the water with excellent service for many years. Without the support of Boat Boutique and assistance of Suzuki Marine and Lowrance SA it would be much more difficult to continue with our efforts to conserve our angling waters.