Update
GARDEN ROUTE NEWS - Beache closures affected Mossel Bay on Tuesday, 29 November due to contaminants resembling tarlike balls or oil pellets being found.
The beach closures were a temporary measure to assist in the cleaning-up operations.
Multi-stakeholder meetings were hosted since Tuesday afternoon to address the issue since the presence of similar contaminants has been reported all along the coastline from Gouritzmond to Plettenberg Bay.
The Garden Route District municipalities have since taken charge of the coordinated effort to manage the situation. The source of the contaminants is not yet known.
In Mossel Bay, the Mossel Bay Municipality’s Environmental Management Department activated is coastal management and rehabilitation service provider to investigate, assess and start clean-up operations on Tuesday, 29 November.
The Environmental Management Department has since been monitoring the situation as clean-up operations continue. A flag system has been put into place indicating the state of the beaches being green, orange and red. Green is a cleared beach, orange contains contaminants and red is highly contaminated.
On Wednesday afternoon, 30 December the following areas have been declared green and open to the public:
- Point
- Santos,
- De Bakke
- Hartenbos Platform
- Glentana
Mossel Bay boasts 5 Blue Flag beaches. Tomorrow, 1 December as the Blue Flag season starts, the flags will be hoisted at Santos, De Bakke, Hartenbos Platform and Glentana.
Cleaning operations will continue. Washing stations have been supplied at beaches to assist beachgoers in cleaning.
Tomorrow, the Mossel Bay Municipality will have their first official booking of the universal access facility at Santos Beach which allows persons with disabilities to enjoy the ocean by using a special wheelchair and beach access mat.
Decontaminating suggestions:
Human decontamination
- Identify a safe, non-aggressive, non-corrosive and water friendly product in the form of a safe water-based detergent.
Pets:
- Contact your local vet for advice
Enquiries: Cornelle Carstens (Senior Marketing and Communications Officer)
Mobile: 082 338 4364
Tel: 044 606 5137
Tel: 044 606 5137
Email: ccarstens@mosselbay.gov.za
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