The Dog and Fig Brewery

We plan to produce a range of collectable beer glasses, each highlighting a specific project or cause in conjunction with conservation issues. A part of the profit of the sale of these glasses will go to supporting these great causes. We’ll try to keep our funding local as far as possible. Our first glass in the collection highlights the plight of the Yellowfish in the Vaal River System, currently under severe threat due to pollution. The Yellowfish is endemic to South Africa and is a National treasure. Fly fishing for Yellowfish brings in millions of rands of tourist revenue to many towns along the Vaal-Orange river system. We are creating awareness by highlighting this art project by a local artist, we will be supporting the Vaal Action Group with a part of the profits of the sale of these glasses.

Project: Smallmouth Yellowfish

The installation of an Orange-Vaal Smallmouth Yellowfish was constructed to create awareness of the plight of yellowfish in the Vaal River system.

Currently, there are two areas of concern:

1.) Pollution of the Vaal River as a result of the neglect of water treatment facilities by local authorities. The main culprits are the Emfuleni and Ngwathe municipalities; both are pumping raw sewage into the Vaal River system causing the death of thousands of fish downstream.

2.) Illegal netting and cruel fish traps in and around Parys is a significant challenge.

SPECS:
– Constructed from local Parys Granite and wire.
– Measures 7-meters x 1.5-meters.
– Weight estimated at 350+kg.
– 90+ rocks were suspended mid-air.
– Completed over a period of four days by artist and two assistants.
– Fixed to the Provincial bridge that crosses the Vaal River at Parys.

ABOUT:
Situated at Egweni River Lodge, a favourite tourist spot on the banks of the Vaal River. Mounted between the pillars of the Provincial bridge connecting the Free State and the North-West Province. The piece was placed to be visible from other lookout points as far as 500m away. Illegal netting is implied by a multitude of wires that haphazardly criss-cross around the fish exactly as an unlawful net would. Depending on the time of day the piece looks completely different. I have included photo’s taken throughout the day. The “unlawful netting wires” only start to catch the light after 15:00 in the afternoon. To me early morning around 8:00 is the best time to visit. When I was there early this morning the piece was blessed by a flight of swallows. It was breathtaking to observe them swarming around and through the stones as if they were not even there!

PROJECT SCOPE:
* To create a breathtaking yellowfish that cannot be missed and grabs the attention of passers-by and tourists to the area.
* Attempt to highlight the practice of illegal netting taking place along the river.

PARTNERED BY:
The Vaal Action Group (“VAG”) is a group established to take action to address the pressing environmental challenges that threaten the Vaal River system. Please join the group (no charge) for up to date information on the crisis surrounding the Vaal River System – www.vaalactiongroup.co.za.

iol.co.za/saturday-star/news/vaal-river-suffocates-under-filthy-wave-of-raw-effluent-16292140

702.co.za/articles/315302/listen-vaal-river-pollution-has-reached-crisis-point

randwater.co.za/Lists/News/DispForm.aspx?ID=53

citizen.co.za/news/south-africa/1997747/faulty-treatment-units-the-cause-of-vaal-river-contamination/
infrastructurene.ws/tag/vaal-river/

sahrc.org.za/index.php/sahrc-media/news/item/1561-environmentalists-call-for-prosecutions-as-raw-sewage-continues-to-flow-into-vaal-river

thesouthafrican.com/vaal-river-sewage-water/

ewn.co.za/2019/02/20/sandf-awaits-treasury-approval-on-budget-to-restore-basic-services-in-vaal-area