Estuary Care Articles
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Kenton Sand Dune Petition
We oppose the self-serving ambitions of the KSDNA. Are you with us?
Minutes of the Annual General Meeting held on Thursday 23 December 2021
Minutes of the Annual General Meeting held on Thursday 23 December 2021 at 10:00 via Zoom. Welcome: The Chairman Stuart Clarkson opened the meeting and extended a warm welcome to all members and visitors. He also extended a special welcome to our guest speaker, Dr...
Estuary Care Committee members have been busy!
A new bench at the Kariega carpark and repairs to the fenceNick Albrightson has installed a new bench at the Kariega carpark and he and his team repaired the white fence polesIn February Dave Curran and his team, Siyanda Ngqina, Alex Jokana and Oscar Zulu...
Boesmans Estuary after 2021 New Year’s Eve
Sadly, we found litter, including broken bottles on the Boesmans Estuary the morning after the crowds had gathered on New Year’s Eve to socialise and watch the sunset. To add insult to injury we noted one of our Estuary Care caps.
Critically Endangered Estuarine Pipefish
Many of you might recall the fascinating, informative and compelling article (including beautiful photos) written by Dr Louw Claassens on the findings of their research into the Critically Endangered Pipefish which are found in the Kariega and Boesmans estuaries. ...
SA/Norway joint research programme on ocean research (SANOCEAN)
David Curran and Stuart Clarkson were recently invited to participate in a SANOCEAN virtual workshop convened by the SANOCEAN project team to share challenges and enablers for the future management of our estuaries. SANOCEAN is a bilateral research cooperation...
Estuaries – Safety, Rules, Certificates and Permits
To all the users of Kariega and Boesmans Estuaries, whether local, visitors and/or holiday makers. By adhering to the rules around safety and etiquette you are helping us help you. Safety – South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA)CertificatesEach and every...
Signs in both Estuaries
In preparation for the December holiday season and expected influx of boat users, Kevin Riddin, Ken Rogers and Dave Curran recently ‘refreshed’ channel marker signs in both estuaries.
Plastic never goes away – literally
These photos were taken after collecting plastic from only three building sites in a small area of Kenton over two weeks. It appears that plastic from building sites does not get recycled. It is simply disposed of with builders’ rubble only to blow away and end...
A threat to the ocean
In 2020 alone, 1.6 billion disposable masks entered the ocean. This is equivalent to 7% of the size of the Great Garbage Plastic Patch and may take over 450 years to biodegrade. At this rate, there risks being more masks than jellyfish in the ocean. COVID-19 has...
Membership subscriptions 2022
The Estuary Care Committee would like to send out a plea to all recipients of the newsletter to pay their annual subscription fees and to also encourage all other people they know who enjoy the Kariega and Boesmans Estuaries to join and pay their annual fee. The...
Broken Bench at Kariega car park
We found a badly damaged concrete and wooden bench at the Kariega Estuary car park.
Conserving the Critically Endangered Estuarine Pipefish
Dr Louw Claassens, formerly from the Knysna Basin Project has relocated to Palau and is now a Researcher/Science Officer for the Palau International Coral Reef Center.
Tips & Suggestions for saving our Estuaries, Beaches and Our Planet
As our plastic problem grows, we turn to simple solutions to make a difference.
Update from our Chairman
We begin the June 2021 newsletter with an important update from our Chairman, Stuart Clarkson. Dear Estuary Care Members and Friends In our last newsletter I reported on our ongoing efforts to secure a sustainable and low risk solution to the ongoing accretion of...
Algoa Bay declared Whale Heritage Site
Congratulations to everyone involved in ensuring that Algoa Bay in South Africa is declared a prestigious Whale Heritage Site Lloyd Edwards, owner of Raggy Charters said ‘becoming a Whale Heritage Site will ensure that visitors to the Algoa Bay marine area are...
Lewis Pugh Foundation
Our September 2018 Estuary Care Newsletter featured an article on Lewis Pugh. He had completed what he called The Long Swim which was from Land’s End in Cornwall to Dover in Kent to raise awareness about the health of the worlds oceans. Read it hereA recent...
Channel Markers & Rock Marker
Dave Curran (top), with the help of Don Thomson (bottom) repaired and replaced a number of channel markers in the Kariega Estuary earlier this year.They also replaced the rock marker, which Dave had made, in the Kariega Estuary.Dave and his team install rocks...
June 2021 photos
Boesmans Estuary Courtesy of Rob BoydGiant Kingfisher photographed at Boesmans Estuary Courtesy Ted MossGiant Kingfisher photographed at Boesmans Estuary Courtesy Ted MossMiddle Beach low tide Courtesy Colin Milliken Middle Beach low tide Courtesy Colin...
Estuary Care December 2020 Annual General Meeting
In view of the Covid crisis this past year the committee has decided to cancel the AGM and in lieu of this the following will take place
Channel Markers
In January Dave Curran with the help of Don Thompson and their team set out to replace various channel markers in both estuaries. Dave also made a replacement rock marker which was installed in the Kariega...
Repair of the Kenton Jetty
As was reported in the previous newsletter the Kariega Slipway Jetty broke loose in a storm and was retrieved by an Estuary Care team. After a covid interrupted process Chester Wilmot, Nick Albrightson and Dennis Dallas completed an extensive repair and...
A huge ball of plastic
A huge ball of plastic was found above the high tide mark between Middle and Main Beaches. It probably washed ashore but we were determined it would not be washed back into the sea. Our Chairman Stuart came to the rescue and removed...
Memorial Benches
Over the years Estuary Care has assisted members of the public with the purchase and placement of benches in memory of loved people (or pets!) or simply as a replacement for an existing municipal bench which has become worn or broken down. The procedure to be...
Seagrass: Essential underwater meadows
An article by Nina de Villiers Nina is part of Dr Louw Claassens’ team researching the status of the Estuarine Pipefish in the Boesmans and Kariega Estuaries. She has written a fascinating article on Seagrass: essential underwater meadows. and the importance of...
Membership subscriptions
The Estuary Care Committee would like to send out a plea to all recipients of the newsletter to pay their annual subscription fees and to also encourage all other people they know who enjoy the Kariega and Boesmans Estuaries to join and pay their annual fee.
Channel Markers in both estuaries
Dave Curren tells us that on the morning of the 5th October an Estuary Care channel marking crew...
Fixing the Marina Slipway
In November an Estuary Care team worked over a number of days to repair the Marina Jetty.
Update on Kariega Jetty
This is work in progress and the team is hoping to reinstall it in early December.
Animals in distress?
What should you do if you find a penguin/seabird/seal/turtle in distress on the beach? Thank you to the NRSI for allowing us to link to their newsletter.
Who lives here?
This very neat hole in the sand was found near the Boesmans slipway. The surrounding area was covered with small, very neat uniform balls of sand which look like pebbles.
COVID19 Protocols for Holiday Rentals, B&B’s AirB&B, Guest Houses
We end our December newsletter every year with a reminder that we share this space. This holiday season will be particularly challenging. However Coastal Kindness, which is a group of local residents who came together in response to the Coronavirus pandemic, has...
Plastic & Recycling
The 18 September 2020 was National Recycling Day. Thank you to Business Day for the two articles which appeared in their 18 September 2020 edition. We believe that every day should be Recycling Day and we invite members of our communities to pick up and dispose...
An unusual and elusive visitor to Kenton-on-Sea
In late June and July hippo tracks were found on Kenton Main Beach. Below: These photos were taken by Mel Arnott on 29 June. It’s not known where it came from or where it went but tracks were once again spotted by Nina Beaufort on 27 July (images...
The Kariega Jetty washed upstream
Dave Curran says: ‘In late August a westerly wind driven storm resulted in a strong surge tide in the Kariega Estuary with a consequence being that the slipway jetty broke clean off its mountings. The jetty was found beached on the inland side of the road bridge....
Boat Licences & Buoy Applications
Mr Willem Nel, the Ndlambe Environmental Law Officer has asked us to share the following information. All queries should be directed to Mr Nel. Boat licenses are due and have been since the 1st July 2020 for the new financial year 2020-2021. The licenses are...
Conserving the Critically Endangered Estuarine pipefish
Dr Louw Claassens and her team came back to Kenton in March 2020 (before lockdown) for a follow up visit on their research into estuarine pipefish found in the Kenton and Boesmans Estuaries. Louw sent the following report. Conserving the Critically Endangered...
A message from Ted
Ted Gilfillan, with his wife Rem by his side, has steered the Boesmans Kariega Estuary Care Management Forum (Estuary Care) for many years. He is stepping down as chairman and we are very pleased that he remains on the Committee as Treasurer. Ted was a dedicated...
Welcome to our new chairman
Our new Chairman is Stuart Clarkson. Stuart comes to us from a background in business. He is passionate about the environment and the well-being of our estuaries and strip of coastline. Stuart grew up in Johannesburg and attended King Edward VII School before going...
Minutes from our 2019 AGM
Our AGM on the 30 December 2019 was well attended. We were privileged to listen to a riveting presentation, which included superb slides, on Conserving the Critically Endangered Pipefish by Dr Louw Claassens, Programme Director of the Knysna Basin Project. Visit...
Exploring our Estuaries – Book launch
Exploring our Estuaries: a book for residents and visitors toKenton on Sea & Boesmansriviermond..The launch of the ‘Estuaries Book’ on 16 December 2019 was a happy occasion and a great success. In fact, it appears that many people thought the book would make...
Certificates of Recognition
Dave Curran continues to coordinate the team of volunteers who transport members of the Department of Environment, Forestry & Fisheries (DEFF) on inspection trips up both estuaries. Thank you to Andile Maki of the Department for arranging that Certificates of...
Exploring our Estuaries – the book
Exploring our Estuaries: a book for residents and visitors to Kenton on Sea & Boesmansriviermond. This is the cover of our book about the Kariega and Boesmans estuaries. Please join us for the launch of the book at the House Planner on Monday 16th December 2019...
Marcella (Shelley) Marinelli’s Plaque at Shelly Bay
You might recall that Marcella Marinelli’s plaque above Shelly Bay was relocated last year. As a follow up our Chairman, Ted Gilfillan who is a committee member of the Bushman’s Kariega Trust (BKT) reports that: ‘The committee of the Bushman’s Kariega Trust first...
High Seas & Resultant Damage
Due to a gale force westerly wind which coincided with the high spring tide on 30th October, Kenton and Boesmans experienced exceptionally high seas and storm surges.Thank you Lydia Palmer for the above videos The seawalls along Middle Beach were severely damaged...
Some of our ongoing activities
Dave Curran continues to coordinate the team of volunteers who transport members of the Department of Environment, Forestry & Fisheries (DEFF) on inspection trips up both estuaries. Unfortunately, DEFF wardens are not available during December because of other...
A few reminders for the holiday season
It is the time of year again when Kenton and Boesmans fill up with visitors and both estuaries are put to maximum use. Please be aware of and abide by the rules for using a boat on the estuaries. Make sure you have the relevant licenses and are aware of the...
To leave or to pick up
There is endless, often heated debate about dog faeces on the beach and in and around our estuaries. We hear ‘leave it, its biodegradable’, ’just bury it’, ‘throw it into the sea or estuary….’. Then there’s the debate on whether it should be covered in sand and...
Biodegradable and/or compostable plastic solutions
Annabé Pretorius of Plastix 911 says; The easiest is to look at the environmental message on the bag – the environmental claim. If they are genuinely biodegradable, it will have reference to any of the ISO (International Organization for Standardization) or EU...
Hot off the press:
Remember the nurdle spill in Durban Harbour in 2017. Click here to read "What is a Nurdle"Thank you to the Sunday Times for allowing us to repost this article. (To view a larger copy of the below article, please click...
The Critically Endangered Estuarine Pipefish
Dr Louw Claassens is the Programme Director for the Knysna Basin Project, a small NGO based in Knysna. (www.knysnabasinproject.co.za). She approached Estuary Care for possible assistance in conducting research into the critically endangered estuarine pipefish...
The story of the NSRI’s Pink Rescue Buoy at the Kariega Estuary Slipway
Roger Carthew from the Rotary Club Kenton-on-Sea saw the article (click here to view) in the autumn issue of the NSRI magazine. He approached the Rotary Club and proposed that a pink buoy should be placed at the Kariega slipway. This was unanimously adopted by...
Boat licences and buoys
The below information is for all boat owners who use the Boesmans and Kariega Estuaries and particularly to those people who secure their boats to buoys in either of the estuaries. Willem Nel (Environmental Law Officer, Ndlambe Municipality) says: Boat licences are...
Differences between Recyclable / Compostable / Biodegradable
What are the differences betweenRecyclable / Compostable / Biodegradable?Recyclable Recyclable or recycling are the most common buzz words out of the three. What it means is that if an item is recyclable it is broken down and repurposed to form something else. It...
Plastic: Reduce, Re-use and Recycle
On 13 March 2019 at the ProPak Conference at Nasrec, Johannesburg, Executive Director of Plastics SA, Anton Hanekom delivered a speech titled ‘Replacing plastics: blessing or curse?’. He said that the plastic industry is as disgusted at plastic pollution as the...
The Reality: What we see
The Reality: What we seeIt is difficult not become emotionally involved when one sees the plethora of information, and horrendous pictures of the damage litter, particularly plastic, is doing to our planet. There is nowhere on earth that plastic hasn’t had a...
Plastic offenders
The World Wildlife Fund has released itsTop 10 plastic offenders in South Africa!
Locals taking action
Kenton Ratepayers Association advises on the status of the recycling initiative in Kenton/Boesmans. Read hereLocal residents should take their recycling to the iWars site in the Boesmans industrial area. Noshipo advises that polystyrene, newspapers and ‘coloured...
Three feel good stories
Johannesburg’s very first plastic-free grocery store (www.therefillery.co.za), is helping South Africans fill their pantries, while addressing the plastic pollution crisis... Read more here The first-ever commercial flight to produce no landfill waste took to the...
The wall at Middle Beach
Recent very heavy rains caused a large wash-away at the upper Middle Beach parking area. After each downpour it got worse and was becoming a possible danger to the public. With financial assistance from Ndlambe Municipality Nick Albrightson from Estuary Care has...
Another rescue
On the 22 March two boys found a juvenile Cape Gannet near Main Beach. It was incredibly tame which was a worry because there were a number of dogs on the beach. Estuary Care was contacted. With the help of our lifesavers Arnaldo and Siya they managed to gently...
Minutes: 2018 Annual General Meeting
The meeting was very well attended with 130 members and visitors present. The Chairman Ted Gilfillan opened the meeting by extending a warm welcome to all members and visitors. Apologies: Audrey Barnard, Tom Lawless, James Trubshaw, Verity Hawarden, Peter O’Connor,...
Amendment to the Constitution
You will have read in our AGM minutes that approval was given to change our Constitution to reflect the name of our organization from Bushman’s Kariega Estuary Care Management Forum to Boesmans Kariega Estuary Care Management Forum. This...
Amatola Water
Chris Nair delivered a presentation on the Sustainability of the Bulk Water Supply to the Kenton on Sea and Boesmans areas. The presentation covered the background on the role of Amatola Water in the provision of bulk water supply to the area, the challenges in...
Clean up of the Boesmans Estuary
Doran Herringer and his team of volunteers undertook a clean-up of the Boesmans estuary on Sunday 30 December 2018 sponsored by The Sandbar Floating Restaurant and The Diner on the Square Restaurant. Doran reports that ‘Alan Louw's barge was used with...
The story of Pengi
On the morning of 7th January 2019, a small very tired penguin was found off Middle Beach Kenton on Sea. Tired but still plucky trying to snap at any finger nearby. After a few calls the penguin chick was on its way and by 11h00 it was safe at Sanccob in Port...
What caused these wounds?
On the 28th January 2019 at 06:00 Deon Nel, a visitor from Pretoria staying with the Crandons, was swimming in the waves between Middle and Main Beach. Whilst wading through the waves amongst the regular Wave Warriors, he felt something attach itself around his...
Licences: One needs to know the rules
Dave Curran has organized and coordinated a most successful programme to transport the Department of Agriculture Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF) rangers up the two estuaries and he reports that
New signs at the Boesmans & Kariega slipways
Look out for the new Estuary Care signs at the Kariega & Boesmans slipways and at the Kenton Marina. It came to our attention that signage at both slipways was out of date. Using the map of the two estuaries from the old Boat Licence Guide, we designed new...
Signage in the two estuaries
Bill Northrop and his team have been maintaining signage in both estuaries throughout the year. They are particularly busy now in preparation for the holiday season. We have no doubt that this vital work is greatly appreciated by all who use the estuaries. Thank...
Infrastructure
Our slipways, towpaths, paths and jetties are looking good! Nick Albrightson has been working throughout the year on preserving our slipways, towpaths paths and jetties. He has repaired stone walls and drainage systems at the estuaries. And he has erected our new...
Pollution of our Estuaries with ooze from overflowing septic tanks and conservancy tanks
Estuary Care is becoming increasingly concerned about ooze from septic tanks and overflowing conservancy tanks, belonging to private homes situated along the banks of both estuaries, running into the estuaries. We have measured very high levels of pollution along...
Unusual visitors to Kenton
In early October we had a visit at the Kenton slipway of a large healthy puffadder which had evidently swum across the estuary. Thank you to Fred Joubert for the photos below And in November an elephant was filmed crossing the Kariega estuary near the causeway....
High Seas in September
During the September equinox very high seas were experienced along our coast. This caused huge tidal surges in both estuaries. Fortunately, no damage was reported and we are proud that the Boesmans jetty, which Chester repaired earlier this year, stood up to the...
Infrastructure & Projects
Nick Albrightson and Human Ntwani continue to keep our pathways repaired and also to clear plastic litter from public paths, including along the R72, leading down to both estuaries.
Plastic and the health of our oceans
As this newsletter is being prepared (29 August 2018) Lewis Pugh a South African endurance swimmer has just completed his 530km swim from Land’s End in Cornwall to Dover in Kent to raise awareness about the health of the worlds oceans.
The 2018 Rhino Run
The 2018 Rhino Run will be held on 16 September. Look out for Estuary Care committee members, identified by our new bibs, helping at this event.
Very special visitors to Main Beach Kenton-on-Sea
On the 28 July at about 10:30 in the morning Chris & Lisette Ovens were walking near the mouth on the Kasouga side of the Kariega Estuary when they saw a Southern Right whale rolling around just behind the waves.
World Oceans Day 8 June 2018
Ncumisa Mziza from Sustainable Seas Trust told us that in marking World Oceans Day 2018 SST staff in partnership with staff from Sibuya Game Reserve transported 25 learners and two teachers from Klipfontein Primary School...
Branded Bibs and a repaired path
Nick Albrightson, with the assistance of Human Ntwani is undertaking repairs to the path from the Kariega bridge up to Anglers Way in Ekuphumleni. As you see Human is sporting one of our new branded bibs. The Committee decided that to give our activities a higher...
Tracks in the Sand
Does anybody have an idea what would cause these tracks in the sand found at low tide on the Boesmans estuary? Send your suggestions to...
Estuarine Fishes of Southern Africa Poster
Thank you to the South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity for the magnificent and very interesting poster. Click the button below to open the poster. You will need to zoom to read the text. Click here to visit the SAIAB...
Plastic Pollution
Much is being written about plastic pollution in our rivers, estuaries, dams, lakes and particularly in our oceans. It is estimated that 12 million tonnes of plastic gets dumped into our oceans every year and from the ocean surface to our deep oceans it is having a...
What is the CEN Integrated Environmental Management Unit?
It states on their website that South Africa is confronted with numerous socio economic problems, including poverty, inadequate housing, sanitation & water supply to name but a few. The problems have resulted in a rapid decline in environmental management and...
Minutes of the 2017 Annual General Meeting
Once again we were pleased with the attendance at our Annual General Meeting.
Anything that floats
There were two floats in December. The first one on Wednesday 27th December was from Bell’s Cove to the mouth and as anticipated was well attended and thoroughly enjoyed by floaters and spectators. The second float, which as usual drew a very large crowd, was on...
Look what was found in the Kariega Estuary
It’s a Horse Mussel Atrina Squamifera. Atrina squamifera, one of several species known as the horse mussel, is a species of bivalve pen shell. It is a marine mollusc in the family Pinnidae and is endemic to South Africa. This species is found from Saldanha Bay to...
An update on the Nurdle situation
You will recall from an article What is a Nurdle in our December 2017 newsletter that there was a horrendous spill of these small non-biodegradable plastic pellets into the Durban harbour in October last year. Sky News provides more information. Sadly Nurdles are...
Dry Bones Valley Dune Migration from 2010 to 2017
Thank you Dennis Laubscher for the interesting visuals on the Dry Bones Valley Dune migration.
The known unknowns of plastic pollution
This article, published in The Economist, may be long but it is well worth the read. It is a sobering account of the scourge of plastic in our oceans and will make us think of what can I do about it? For a start become conscious of when and how you are using...
Channel Markers in our Estuaries
Bill Northrop and his volunteers continue to update and upgrade signage and channel markers in both estuaries. This was particularly necessary after our huge tidal surges towards the end of August.
Slipways, towpaths, paths & jetties
Chester Wilmot has undertaken remedial construction work on slipways and on both jetties. Daphne McNeil and her team of Human and Nicholas Albrightson and under Chester’s guidance, despite soft misty rain, repaired the towpath on the east bank of the Boesmans...