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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19 Apr 2021

Zebra mantis shrimp caught in Richards Bay

Reece Reid (Zululand Observer) Picture: The zebra mantis shrimp caught at Richards Bay Ski Boat Club

Children playing on the jetty at the Richards Bay Ski Boat Club on Monday were surprised when they caught a strange-looking crustacean, later identified as a zebra mantis shrimp. Once caught, the shrimp was moved to a bucket of seawater where it was photographed, closely examined, measured to be about 15 cm long, and then released.

The zebra mantis shrimp is usually found in East African waters, but it is uncommon for it to be found off the coast of South Africa.

Mantis shrimp are known to have large, broad eyes which provide them with excellent vision. Their eyes are divided in half, giving them binocular vision. This means they have some of the best depth perception and range-finding in the animal kingdom. Mantis shrimp are also able to perceive ten times the amount of colour that humans can, including being able to see into the ultraviolet. They can even recognise individual people.

Mantis shrimp, including the zebra mantis shrimp, are not considered to be endangered and are, in fact, considered a delicacy in many cuisines worldwide. In Vietnam and China they are boiled, grilled, steamed and fried.

 

Online Article