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!

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!

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!

SANParks Responds to Swartvlei’s High E.coli Count

Mike Hampton Posted on by

As some of my blogs and Facebook posts tend to do, the one about Knysna Estuary and Swartvlei Estuary pollution sparked a hoo-ha amongst the public. Controversy is likely to lessen with communication. After all, we want is to know what is happening with our lives so as to protect ourselves, friends and families. This is our home and we want to know everything about it. Consequently, i’m pleased that SANParks has chosen to respond. Although they haven’t addressed the old septic tanks on the suburb called The Island or … Read the full article…

The truth may be bitter but sharing it is sweet!