Here is a short feedback report on where we are with the Seekoei Estuary.
We all remember the lowest point in the Seekoei River Estuary history when in early 2023, the stench emanating from the estuary was unbearable with schools of fish dying. And let’s not forget the denial of the obvious from Kouga Municipality and elected community groups, but let’s move forward from here and look at the future.
A few “natural disasters” have occurred since then that have helped the estuary to recover somewhat.
- Floods at the end of May 2023
- High seas (storm surge) in August and September 2023 helped to flush and bring some new life to the Estuary.
- The parking area that according to the Estuary Management Plan should be removed was damaged and that resulted in a somewhat smaller parking area soon afterwards that has helped to keep the mouth open for +-6 months from Sept’23 – March’24 and since then has been open and closed a few times but more open than closed. Prawns are returning and improvement of birdlife was almost immediately visible.
- Floods at the end of May 2024
- High seas again in early July 2024
- There is currently a process to revise the Estuary Management Plan and develop the Coastal Management Plan. The Seekoei Estuary Forum, as a team, is closely involved in these processes to ensure a robust framework is in place irrespective of who governs Kouga Municipality. The Coastal Management Plan is up for discussion and can be seen here.
Some other news on upgrades happening and coming soon:
- Jeffreys Bay Waste Water Treatment Plant has been working optimally in recent months
- The Kwanozamo Waste Water Treatment Plant in Humansdorp is at long last in the upgrading process. Contractors are on site. This plant has not been operational for many years.
- Work on the causeway has been approved. More culverts will added so water can flow easier mitigating the “dam wall” effect.
We have learned a lot this last year and a half. We now know where to look for signs of esturary degradation.