After a wave of complaints were reported of people getting dangerously close to whales and dolphins in Cape Town’s coastal waters, the City of Cape Town says people should stay 300 m away from these mammals.
Beachgoers in Melkbosstrand (Eerste Steen) and Dolphin Beach noticed some surfers taking photos and approaching mostly dolphins in the water, some within just a few meters. “I waved and shouted at them to leave the dolphins alone,” says resident Amber Vaughn. “Yes, it is quite tempting to try and play with these creatures, but it’s mating season and they should be left alone,” she says. The City says it is strictly against the law to be within 300 m of any whale. This includes by definition a person, vessel or aircraft, including drones. Further, the law makes it clear that should a whale approach you or surface near you, you are required to immediately move away from the whale to a distance of at least 300 m.
This reminder stems from the high number of complaints received last week of people approaching whales within a few meters in Cape Town’s coastal waters. The City, along with the National Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE), will be actively enforcing these laws.
Complaints
City’s Deputy Mayor and Mayco member for spatial planning and environment, Eddie Andrews, says in the past week they received 11 complaints of people harassing whales.
“We are also aware of social media posts of people purposefully approaching whales on kayaks and surf skis, boats and even swimming out to them. Such acts disturb these sea animals. It can affect their feeding patterns and is especially impactful on moms with calves.
Let us please respect our environmental laws. Cape Town is extraordinarily blessed with a very rich marine environment that supports a wide range of marine species, many considered to be iconic and charismatic,” Andrews said an environmentalist in the area says harassing whales and dolphins is not only irresponsible but also harmful to these intelligent and sensitive marine creatures. “Approaching them too closely can cause stress, disrupt their natural behaviours, and even lead to injury. It’s crucial that people respect the legal boundaries and understand that disturbing these animals can have serious ecological consequences.
We must prioritise their safety and well-being to ensure their protection for future generations,” he says.He adds it is essential to leave dolphins and whales alone to mate, as this is a critical part of their life cycle and overall health. “Disturbing them during mating can disrupt their natural behaviours and affect their breeding success.
Just like any other species, these marine animals need the privacy and tranquility to reproduce without human interference.
By respecting their space and allowing them to engage in their natural processes, we help ensure the survival and health of these magnificent creatures for years to come.
Species
There is a variety of whale species that occur along its coastline all year round.
the City says.
This is a normal occurrence for this time of year and super groups are expected to come to the Atlantic Seaboard from now until February next year.
A number of Southern Right Whale mother-and-calf pairs are also being seen in places like Fish Hoek.
The laws that prohibit interacting with or harassing environmental species fall under the Threatened or Protected Species Regulations under the National Environmental Management Act.In addition, the City’s Coastal Bylaw (Section 7.3) also states that:
“Unless the City grants written authorization, no person may within the coastal zone interfere with, cause damage to, collect, harvest, impede, harm, harass, hunt or restrict a living or dead wild animal or plant, or displace, disturb, destroy or remove its habitat, provided that reasonable activity in relation to the listed actions together with catching of fish in tidal pools by children in the ordinary use or enjoyment of the beach area is not prohibited.”
Any person wanting to lodge a complaint or report sightings of people harassing marine life can do so by emailing Gregg Oelofse, Manager: Coastal Management, Environmental Management on Gregg.Oelofse@capetown.gov.za
