Coast KZN

State of the Coast: KZN
State of the Coast: KZN

State of the Coast: KwaZulu-Natal Chapter 1: Introduction & Background Chapter 2: Overarching Drivers Chapter 3: Climate Variability
Chapter 4: Coastal Environment Chapter 5: Estuarine Environment Chapter 6: Marine Environment Chapter 7: Human Environment Chapter 8: Economic Environment
Chapter 9: Governance Environment Chapter 10: Conclusions
The Profile of the KZN Coast
The Profile of the KZN Coast

Ugu Lwethu- Our Coast Defining the Coastal Zone The Physical and Coastal Environment Coastal and Marine Ecosystems
Coastal and Marine Species Migrations The Human Dimension Socio-Economic Uses of the Coast Commercial Resource Uses
Pressures and Threats Management of the Coastal and Marine Environments Understanding our Coast
Coastal access
Coastal access

Access RoutesBoat Launch SitesThe Human DimensionCoastal Access: Stats & Facts
Estuaries
Estuaries

What is an Estuary? Know your Estuaries Estuary Health and Conservation KZN Estuary Observer Programme
Historical Time Series Estuary Mouth Status Sand Mining
Recreation
Recreation

Fish TaggingAccess RoutesBlue Flag Beaches
Coastal risk and vulnerability
Coastal risk and vulnerability

Coastal Risk LinesExtreme EventsCoastal ErosionKZN Coastal Vulnerability IndexPollution
Coastal issues
Coastal issues

PollutionSand MiningCoastal ErosionNurdlesUPL Chemical Spill
Back
25 Aug 2017

Beached whale at Mtunzini to be left to decompose naturally

Orrin Singh (Zululand Observer)

An adult Humpback whale washed ashore at Mtunzini on Wednesday and there is no obvious cause of death – PHOTO: Dale Dixon

“There were no obvious signs of injury and the cause of death is still to be determined “

A whale carcass washed ashore just north of Mtunzini’s main beach on Wednesday.

There were no obvious signs of injury and the cause of death is still to be determined.

Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife Marine Ecologist, Dr Jennifer Olbers, told the ZO that the carcass will be left to decompose naturally.

‘As it has washed up in a protected area, protocol is that we leave it on the beach to decompose naturally.

‘It is an adult Humpback and there is no obvious cause of death,’ said Olbers.

This is believed to be the second Humpback whale that has washed ashore this year, compared to the 10 last year – the highest number of whale strandings in the history of monitoring the east coast.

Last month the ZO reported 74 strandings on KZN’s coastline in 2016, compared to 40 in 2015.

Coastal watchdogs believe the reason behind the dramatic increase was seismic surveys to find oil and gas deposits.

‘Despite requests by government departments and environmental groups to avoid undertaking surveys during the turtle hatching season (December to the end of March), the Humpback whale migration (June to November) and the sardine run (June to July), seismic surveys were undertaken off the KZN coastline between Durban and Richards Bay between 31 January and 24 July.’

‘Scientists have proven that seismic blasts can interrupt the communication, reproduction, navigation and eating habits essential to the survival of marine life, including whales, dolphins, turtles, fish and plankton,’ Olbers told the ZO in July.

 

Online Article