Coast KZN

Aquatic plants living within the coastal environment range from species that occupy the water column such as microalgae (e.g. phytoplankton) and floating or submerged plants (e.g. seagrasses), to those that inhabit the intertidal and supratidal regions, such as emergent macrophytes (e.g. salt marsh, reeds, sedges and mangroves). The area extending from the intertidal reaches of the seashore to the subtidal reefs is home to a fourth group of coastal marine vegetation, seaweeds. Each of the different habitat types are characterised by specific species or groups of species, based on their tolerance to salinity and inundation. Aquatic vegetation is largely associated with estuaries.

Sea turtles are iconic marine reptiles. They are well adapted for life at sea, with legs modified into flippers and bodies encased in a hard carapace. While these reptiles range widely in all oceans, they have remarkably localised nesting grounds. KZN's sea turtle nesting beaches are of enormous international significance, especially as they are protected and monitored. Sea turtles represent an important element of marine and coastal biodiversity for KZN and indeed South Africa and the world at large.

The coelacanth is a so-called "Lazarus" species; an organism known from the fossil record long before a living species was discovered. Although it was originally argued that all coelacanths caught outside of the Comoros Islands were strays, mounting evidence points to the existence of a number of viable populations in the South West Indian Ocean region, including Jesser Canyon. This means that KZN is home to a unique, viable population of prehistoric coelacanths. They are fortunately well protected in their iSimangaliso Wetland Park refuge.

While occasional vagrant species of seals may be found off the KZN coast, and dugongs have historically been recorded as far south as Umhlali, it is the 36 species of cetaceans (whales and dolphins) that comprise the true marine mammal fauna of the region. While whale species have declined as a result of historical whaling activity, some species have shown recovery and further conservation of the species and their habitat will ensure populations return to sustainable levels.