Beaches stretching from Melkbosstrand to Milnerton are facing a growing issue that is dampening the local experience for both residents and tourists alike. The accumulation of decaying kelp along popular beach fronts has become a significant concern, attracting flies, causing unpleasant odours and creating obstacles for beachgoers.
While some argue that the presence of kelp is a natural and ecologically beneficial process, others, such as local residents and business owners, believe that the City’s reluctance to manage the issue is compromising both the aesthetic and health aspects of Cape Town’s coastline. As the debate over how best to handle the kelp build-up intensifies, the question remains: How can a balance be struck between preserving nature and maintaining the beauty of our beaches?
A concerned resident, Agi Orfanos, said while Cape Town has been recognised as one of the most beautiful cities in the world, our beaches are often marred by filth, decay and neglect.
“I recall a personal experience 25 years ago when I took my then 4-year-old son to Small Bay, a popular swimming beach and park in our area,” he said. “The beach was overwhelmed by stinking, decaying seaweed, trash, flies and even dog poo. I took it upon myself to clean the beach with the help of a vagrant. This led to the City embarking on a beach cleaning programme, which has since been recently discontinued, leaving the slimy smelly decaying seaweed behind.”
Policy
However, in recent times, the City’s Coastal Management has adopted a policy of refraining from cleaning seaweed as part of the natural process.
“While I understand the importance of preserving natural habitats, I strongly believe that this approach is misguided when it comes to our tourist and suburban beaches,” he said. “These areas are not only used by locals but also by thousands of tourists who visit our city every year, let alone daily.”
According to Orfanos the seaweed attracts flies, stinks and makes it impossible for people to enjoy the beach.
“The restaurant Ons Huise at Small Bay is a prime example, where the smell of decaying seaweed and sewage wafts over the outdoor tables, making it an unpleasant experience for customers.
“Today, around 100 schoolchildren were at the beach, but access to the sea was restricted due to the sheer amount of slimy seaweed blocking their way.
“How can anyone lay a towel on the beach or a kid make a sandcastle. Please explain?
“A team was attempting cleaning visible debris from the seaweed but much is intertwined within the kelp. The smell, the flies remain.”
Illegal to remove kelp
Environmentalist Zoë Prinsloo said technically it is illegal to remove kelp from the beach according to the Marine Living Resources Act 18 of 1998. “You can take for personal use up to 10 kg (with a permit). But if they are wanting to remove because it is unsightly or smelly, then it’s more complicated.”
Kelp has certain benefits, such as trapping wind-blown sand, creating a “thicker” beach, providing a physical buffer against waves, attracts a range of organisms which break the kelp down through the decomposition process (which is vital for the nutrient cycle).
“But in saying all of this the City has a kelp management protocol,” Prinsloo says. “If the kelp washup is attracting kelp flies or begins to smell, then I would suggest phoning the City to ask for removal.
“So in short, I’d leave it unless it is attracting flies and smells. It is nature. It is natural. Let’s not interfere. Actually, In my personal opinion, there are much more important things they can remove, like litter.”
The City says on their website the presence of kelp on Cape Town’s beaches provides a variety of environmental, social and economic benefits. The indiscriminate removal of kelp in large quantities can have an impact on the functional integrity of coastal ecosystems, which may have a number of ‘knock-on’ consequences.
However, Orfanos urges the City to reconsider their approach to beach cleaning and maintenance.
“”Our greater city has around 400-500 km of coastline, and while it’s understandable that not all of it can be cleaned, the areas that are regularly used by humans should be kept pristine and immaculate. This is not only a matter of aesthetics but also of public health and safety. The rest can be left to nature.”
For further information on the City of Cape Town’s coastal cleaning protocol, visit: http://www.capetown.gov.za/Explore%20and%20enjoy/nature-and-outdoors/our-beaches-and-coast/conserving-our-coast
