A video clip showing a seal swimming in polluted waters caused a stir when it was shared by ocean’s activist group Sea Angels’s on their Facebook page this week.
A video circulating on social media showing a seal swimming in scummy water at Hout Bay Harbour has sparked calls for pollution there to be addressed.
Hout Bay Seal Rescue and Rehabilitation Centre volunteer Tracey Pendlebury, who recorded the clip, said: “I was out that day during one of my regular patrols when I spotted the seal swimming in that polluted water near Mariner’s Wharf restaurant and where the boats take the tourists to Seal Island.
“I recall smelling strong diesel or petrol fumes, not sewage. The seal feeders I spoke to there also told me they fear the seals swimming there, and they said that this was not a once-off occurrence.”
The clip, which was posted by ocean’s activist group Sea Angels on their Facebook page this week, sparked a heated debate among users who were frustrated at the quality of Cape Town’s ocean water.
Euston Bosman said: “This is what the City of Cape Town’s (DA) clean audits and seawater looks like!”
Neil Rank said the City had lied about the quality of the coastal water to prevent tourists from staying away.
“In the meanwhile our African penguin numbers are declining. So in 20 years time, the only place to see an African penguin will be in the Two Oceans Aquarium. Where are the City Officials? Mr Mayor, you busy killing all sea life.”
Hout Bay Seal Rescue and Rehabilitation Centre chairperson Kim Krynauw said the water pollution at Hout Bay Harbour was a constant issue that they frequently reported to the Department of Public Works.
Friends of the Rivers of Hout Bay member Jackie Whales said the water pollution at the harbour was an outrage and should be addressed by the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure.
“I’ve seen this viral clip. It’s absolutely horrific. There needs to be some serious law enforcement around what the boats are emptying (illegal bilge pumping at night is apparently common) and also the sewage system in the harbour.”
Referring to the recovery of 19 African penguins found coated in oil at Noordhoek, Kommetjie and Hout Bay, she added: “I don’t know if they have determined the source yet of the recent oil spill, but there is definitely on-going pollution coming from the harbour either way. The Department of Public Works needs to step up and clean up the harbour- it’s a disgrace.”
Harbour Mistress Pumla Feni Gala said she had seen no signs of polluted water, on Wednesday January 29, at the spot where the clip was recorded.
“I’ve noticed no signs of water pollution here. I’m aware of the sewer that is flooding by Mariner’s Wharf, and our guys are on site clearing the main hole,” she said.
Mayoral committee member for spatial planning and environment Eddie Andrews said: “The Hout Bay Harbour does not fall under the management and jurisdiction of the City of Cape Town. It is managed by national government. Furthermore, we are of the view that this is not sewage.”
The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment did not respond to queries before time of publication.