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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20 Oct 2021

Three months later and beaches from Umgeni to Salt Rock remain closed

Juan Venter( North Coast Courier) Picture: File dated 20 July/ The Umdloti Estuary turned turquoise after chemicals were released into the water while firefighters tried to save the UPL warehouse in July..

The Forestry, Fisheries and Environment department (DFFE) remains mum on when beaches will be reopened to the public. Beaches north of the Umgeni River mouth to Salt Rock have been closed for 3 months following the environmental disaster when chemicals stored in a United Phosphorous Limited (UPL) warehouse at Cornubia spilled into the oHlanga tributary and uMhlanga estuary. DFFE is waiting for a report into the spill to be examined in the USA before reopening beaches safe for the public to use.

Meanwhile, government has created a website where concerned parties can register to obtain documents and reports around the investigation into the UPL spill. An initial investigation by eThekwini Metro and Ezemvelo found that UPL had illegally stored dangerous chemicals on the site. DEFF has opened a criminal case against UPL.

United Phosphorus Limited (UPL) have disputed the findings: “UPL does not admit any non-compliance with the law, as alleged in the preliminary report,” the company stated.

 

Online Article