The Swartkops system, located just north of Port Elizabeth in the Eastern Cape, is a premier estuarine and river fishing destination. It comprises the Swartkops River and the expansive Swartkops Estuary, which opens into Algoa Bay. The estuary is recognized as one of the most important natural areas in the Nelson Mandela Bay region and is a nationally significant ecosystem, famed for its rich biodiversity. It holds the status of a globally Important Bird Area (IBA) and features the third-largest area of salt marsh in South Africa. The system is a vital fish nursery with a permanently open tidal inlet, supporting a diverse aquatic community fueled by extensive inter-tidal mud banks teeming with invertebrates.