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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23 May 2022

Footage and facts for World Turtle Day

Danica Hansen (South Coast Sun) Picture: Danica Hansen. Turtle expert and newly appointed executive manager for uShaka Sea World, Maryke Musson, visits rescued turtle, Keena, at the aquarium. Keena was rescued after her front flippers were severed.

World Turtle Day is observed each year on May 23 to promote awareness and conservation of turtles and tortoises. The awareness day began in 2000 and is sponsored by the American Tortoise Rescue.

Berea Mail visited uShaka Marine World to find out more about turtles and the challenges threatening these endangered sea creatures. The survival rate of turtle hatchlings is already slim before plastic pollution is factored in.

“Hundreds of turtle hatchlings are rescued and rehabilitated along South Africa’s coastline each year,” said newly appointed executive manager for uShaka Sea World, Maryke Musson.

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“When sea turtles hatch, just one or two out of a thousand will survive to maturity,” said Musson.

Turtle hatchlings often wash up on local coastlines during their first few years of life.

“Turtles hatch on the beaches in northern KZN and Mozambique and swim into the surf zone where they enter the warm Agulhas Current. If they drift out of the current, the cold water can stun them, and they will land up on the beach,” said Musson.

Many of these turtles are picked up by one of several conservationist organisations. Musson said rehabilitation in SA is very active with about 100 turtles being rescued, rehabilitated and released per year.

“In South Africa, we find five of the seven different turtle species visiting our shores. Only the loggerhead and leatherback turtles breed along our coastline, so we see many juveniles wash up on our beaches. All turtle species are endangered, so we really need to work to conserve them,” said Musson.

 

Online Article