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
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15 Jul 2021

Firefighters battle chemical plant fire as contaminated water spews out to sea

Juan Venter (North Coast Courier) Picture: A chemical plant and storage facility was set alight behind Cornubia earlier this week.

UPDATE, July 15 at 2pm:

eThekwini municipality has confirmed that it is investigating the cause of a spill which has seen a number of fish and crayfish wash ashore dead at Umhlanga and Umdloti lagoons.

“While the exact cause remains unknown, it is considered serious and can affect one’s health if collected and consumed.”

Collection and harvesting of marine living resources at the areas has been banned temporarily.

ORIGINAL STORY:

A chemical plant at Cornubia, near Umhlanga, was set alight by looters on Tuesday, July 13 and continues to burn – and our ocean is now bearing the brunt of this.

Firefighters are working to contain the fire and extinguish it however, run-off water and chemicals are spewing out to sea through storm water drains in the area, polluting the ocean.

At Umdloti, a number of fish and crayfish have washed up dead – beachgoers and surfers are warned to stay out of the water.  Di Jones of the Dolphin Coast conservancy said run-off has spilled into the lagoon and estuary. She said bathing had been banned at Umdloti, and urged people to refrain from entering the lagoon or estuary.

It is understood that the contamination area runs from Umhlanga Lagoon through to Umdloti. Areas up further north need not panic about the contamination spreading for now owing to strong currents on the North Coast.

eThekwini Municipality is expected to provide input on the matter.

Online Article