MALOTI MINNOW POLICY & ACTION PLAN

1. Introduction

1.1. The Maloti Minnow (Pseudobarbus quathlambae) is endemic to Lesotho, and is regarded as being critically endangered. The decline of this species began over 70 years ago, when trout were introduced into Lesotho’s rivers to provide sport angling. The predatory trout have subsequently eradicated the minnow as they spread into more of its habitat, and it is estimated that the species has lost 90% of its original numbers.

1.2. Genetic studies have revealed two distinct groups within the Maloti Minnow population, known as ESUs (Evolutionary Significant Units). One comprises the “Mohale ESU” from the Senqunyane, Bokong and Jordane rivers, while the rest fall into the “Eastern ESU”. The Mohale ESU comprises 77% of the total extent of occurrence of the Maloti Minnow.

1.3. The Mohale Dam development of the Lesotho Highlands Water Project (LHWP) will affect 97% of the Mohale ESU (if there is no mitigation), mainly resulting from the inevitable introduction of trout and yellowfish into the system.

1.4. The dam will inundate approximately 58 km river length of minnow habitat in the Senqunyane catchment, possibly containing 7000 fish. Without intervention, it has been estimated that more than 80% of the Mohale ESU could be lost within the next ten years.

1.5. The LHDA has already invested significant funds on studies to determine the distribution, status and conservation measures required to prevent the extinction of the minnow.

1.6. The Government of Lesotho is a signatory to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), and is mindful of the international concerns of the biodiversity community regarding the extinction of species.

1.7. As an agency of the Government of Lesotho, the LHDA is expected to take reasonable steps to conserve the relict Maloti Minnow population in the Mohale project area.

2. Policy Statement

The Lesotho Highlands Development Authority, as the implementing agent of the LHWP, will make such reasonable interventions as are necessary to conserve the relict population of the Maloti Minnow (Pseudobarbus quathlambae) in the Mohale catchment and other sanctuaries.

3. Policy Objective

3.1. The overall objective is to conserve a viable in situ population of the Maloti Minnow in the Mohale catchment, coupled with the establishment of several ex situ populations as an additional safeguard for the survival of the species.

3.2. The objectives shall include:

· Establishment of sanctuaries in the project areas that shall be protected from invasive fish species, and gazetted as “protected natural environments” (Lesotho Environment Act 2001, section 73(1)), including:

- Establishment of an ex situ sanctuary in the Jordane river above the Pampiri waterfall.

- Establishment of ex situ populations in the Makhaleng, Quthing and Maletsunyane rivers.

· Monitoring of in situ and