Tag Archives: Swartvlei Estuary

Flamingoes Hit Sedgefield Power Lines

Mike Hampton Posted on by

SANParks rangers are currently monitoring Swartvlei Estuary and surrounds for evidence of more injured flamingoes subsequent to a horrific accident this morning. The birds were badly injured when they flew into a nearby power line parallel to the N2. 2 dead flamingos were collected. 1, badly injured, had to be euthanized this morning. 4 seriously injured flamingos were collected this morning and rushed to Tenikwa Wildlife’s  Rehabilitation Centre for treatment. Jonathan Britton, SANParks ranger for marine in Wilderness, says he is planning to approach the relevant authority regarding the power … Read the full article…

The truth may be bitter but sharing it is sweet!

Anything that Floats did More than Float

Mike Hampton Posted on by

“Anything That Floats” was again the event not to be missed on the Sedgefield Slow Festival programme. Eleven teams entered this year’s competition, every team thinking that their design was the one that would win the day. The ages of this year’s participants ranged from as young as 4 years to rather mature, but they all had one thing in common: they were ready to have a lot of fun! At race time, the banks of the Swartvlei Estuary were lined with hundreds of excited spectators. The Cape Town based … Read the full article…

The truth may be bitter but sharing it is sweet!

Pili Pili Slow Fest SUP Race Winners

Mike Hampton Posted on by

The inaugural Pili Pili Slow Fest SUP Race went off with an ‘electric start’ on Friday 25 March. Contestants of all ages from all over the country took to the water, some for the first time ever on a Stand Up Paddle board. Following the channel of the Swartvlei estuary, the 4km course was the perfect length for the beginners to have fun and the more serious SUP’ers to show what they are made of. In an amazing time of 34:28 minutes the local boy, Slade West, took the prize. … Read the full article…

The truth may be bitter but sharing it is sweet!

Illegal Long Net Fishing Confirmed in Sedgefield

Mike Hampton Posted on by

Congratulations to SANPark’s rangers! For years, i’ve heard rumours that illegal long-net fishing was happening in the Knysna Municipality, an area rich in estuaries and lakes. Whether urban myth or not, fishermen were worried at the alarming decline in the fish population. 1-2 years ago, i was told that that here was an operation acting at night in the Swartvlei Estuary in Sedgefield, allegedly run by a Chinese businessman and a SANParks employee. But without evidence, such can only be treated as rumour, never published. Not long after that, i … Read the full article…

The truth may be bitter but sharing it is sweet!

Pampered Like a King at Lakeside Lodge & Spa

Mike Hampton Posted on by

Beside the beautiful Swartvlei Estuary, approximately 8km from Sedgefield’s centre and 35km from Knysna, you’ll find the stunning Lakeside Lodge & Spa and the ‘taste-fill’ Benguela Brasserie & Restaurant. It was the treat of all treats when i was taken there for an hour massage, my first in 8 years, and a 3-course meal accompanied by delicious wine from their owner’s Benguela Cove Lagoon Wine Estate. Wherever i go, it’s staff that normally make the biggest impression, good or bad. Here, they made a big, positive impression. When we arrived, … Read the full article…

The truth may be bitter but sharing it is sweet!

Knysna Pollution’s Naughty Contradictions

Mike Hampton Posted on by

At yesterday’s Community Services Section 80 meeting in the Knysna Council Chambers, pollution of the Knysna and Swartvlei estuaries raised it’s ugly head as it always does. Mike Maughan-Brown (Director Planning and Development) may be right in that the tide cleans away the ecoli in the swimming areas of Knysna but is that good enough? He expressed that he was happy with the health of the Knysna Estuary. In opposition, James McCarthy (Assistant Head of Municipal Health for the Lakes Area) said, “We are very concerned about land based pollution … Read the full article…

The truth may be bitter but sharing it is sweet!

The Dark Side of Sea Lettuce

Mike Hampton Posted on by

It’s not toilet paper – yesterday’s government report was correct in that dried sea lettuce is what we’re witnessing on the shores of the Knysna Estuary. What was improper and unscientific in the report released by the Knysna Pollution Action Committee (SANParks, Knysna Municipality, Eden District Municipality and the Knysna Basin Project) was the exclusion of pollution as a possible cause. Yes, naturally induced “hydrogen and phosphate levels in the water which led to last year’s red tide” is a possibility but so can it be from the nitrogen released … Read the full article…

The truth may be bitter but sharing it is sweet!

SANParks Responds to Knysna Drowning

Mike Hampton Posted on by

Subsequent to a recent drowning incident in the Knysna estuary, SANParks (managers of the Garden Route National Park which includes the Knysna Estuary) have requested citizens to exercise caution this summer season. For people hiring canoes, it is important to also wear a life jacket. Vessel and boat owners are urged to: Obtain a relevant vessel permit and adhere to all boating regulations at all times. Always exercise caution when swimming in the Park’s estuaries (Swartvlei, Knysna and Groot River) as tidal flow could be potentially dangerous. Fish and bait … Read the full article…

The truth may be bitter but sharing it is sweet!