Mysterious Garden Route ‘oil spill’ still under investigation

Posted by Tsoku Maela on 23 December 2022

The Mossel Bay Municipality temporarily closed several beaches along the Garden Route in November after beachgoers detected heavy furnace oil particles.

Mysterious Garden Route 'oil spill' still under investigation

Yachts moored in the Knysna Lagoon in South Africa’s Garden Route.

This followed reports by beachgoers that an oily substance was sticking to their feet when they walked between Hartenbos and Bayview beaches. The Head of Disaster Management at Garden Route District Municipality, declared most beaches along the Garden Route safe or ‘green’ by 5 December. But some oil pellets are still visible at some beaches and are under investigation for their origin. So far there have been no reports linking the oil spill to humans, birds, or marine life.

According to IOL, Garden Route District Municipality spokesperson Marillia Veldkornet said: ‘The origin of the Heavy Furnace Oil is still being investigated. The South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA) indicated that a vessel has been identified, but they would only be certain once the fingerprint alkalises of the oil samples collected on our beaches are available.’

According to the Southern African Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal Birds (SANCCOB) there were no reports of wildlife affected by the mystery oil spill.

‘Although no wildlife was affected, this spill highlights the need for a coastal surveillance programme to ensure that oil spills are detected as soon as possible to prevent shoreline impacts and harm to marine wildlife.Tar ball samples have been taken from affected beaches along the Garden route. These samples will provide information on the type of oil that was spilt,’ SANCCOB’s preparedness and response manager, Monica Stassen said.

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