Opening of reserves, conservation areas, parks and beaches under Level 3 remains uncertain

Where can we go (legally) under Level 3 in Cape Town?

There seems to be a misunderstanding by the Executive Mayor of what the Regulations say. 

While beaches and parks are closed and can only be opened if the Alert Level 3 regulations are changed, the question still remains in relation to Nature Reserves.

Werkmans Attorneys' Shane Krige says that the Media Statement fails to take into account the exception contained in Regulation 39(2)(g).   Regulation 39(2)(g) contains a specific exception that states that Nature Reserves are open for "such facilities and activities as envisaged in sub-regulation (3)." Sub-regulation 39(3) refers to "private self-drive excursion activities". 

In other words, Nature Reserves are open for activities that can be conducted as self-drive excursions. 

Table Bay Quarterly Report Jan - Mar 2018

Dear Partners, Neighbours, Friends and Colleagues

Please find attached a compressed version of our most recent quarterly report for the period January to March 2018.

Kind regards,

Koos Retief
Biodiversity Area Manager - Milnerton: Environmental Management Department

Table Bay Nature Reserve
10 Sandpiper Crescent, Table View 7441

Tel: 021 444 0315
Email: jacobusj.retief@capetown.gov.za
Web (TDA): www.tda.gov.za

Web (CCT): www.capetown.gov.za

This is what you can expect to read about in

Table Bay Nature Reserve Quarterly Report.

Flamingo Vlei Re-Opened for Recreation

A blue-green algal bloom in the Rietvlei Water Area resulted in its closure since 17/03/2017.

Pic Jan and Frieda Prinsloo

It remained closed for public safety reasons throughout this quarter. The water was only reopened to the public again on 30/06/2017 after a consistent decline in the algae toxins was observed.

Temporary Closure of Recreation at Rietvlei due to Toxic Algae finding

CITY OF CAPE TOWN

17 MARCH 2017

MEDIA RELEASE

Rietvlei closed to public due to algae 

The City of Cape Town is temporarily closing the Rietvlei Water Area after a blue-green algal bloom was observed in the water on 16 March 2017. Read more below:

The Milnerton Aquatic Club’s 24-hour endurance sailing challenge, which was scheduled to take place at the Rietvlei Water Area tomorrow, 18 March and Sunday, 19 March 2017, has been cancelled as a result.

The City collected and analysed water samples yesterday, 16 March 2017, and again this morning, 17 March 2017, and found that microcystin toxins associated with blue-green algae exceeded the World Health Organisation’s recreational guideline for freshwater water bodies.

http://pethealthcare.co.za/PetFriendly/Articles/blue-green-algae-toxic-pets-and-humans

The algal blooms usually present as green, blue-green, white or brown foam, scum or mats floating on the surface of the water. Exposure to these algae can cause eye irritation, skin rashes, mouth ulcers, vomiting, diarrhoea, and cold-or flu-like symptoms.

Drinking or swallowing large amounts of water can be extremely dangerous.  

Members of the public should avoid all contact with the water at Rietvlei until it has been declared safe.

Due to the ongoing drought and low water levels there are extensive areas of exposed dry shoreline around Rietvlei.

It is suspected that the 5 mm rainfall that was recorded on Wednesday, 15 March 2017, washed accumulated minerals and organic material from decomposing and dead plants along the shoreline into the water at Rietvlei. These minerals and organic materials, combined with high ambient temperatures, could have provided the nutrients for the rapid growth of algae in the water.

The City is monitoring the water quality and will inform members of the public once it is safe for recreational use. The City apologises for any inconvenience caused as a result of the closure of the water area.

The closure only applies to recreational activities in the Rietvlei Water Area, including fishing, but does not prevent anybody from accessing the Table Bay Nature Reserve’s other visitor facilities such as the picnic areas, braai facilities and the bird watching trail. As such, the Table Bay Nature Reserve will still host an open weekend on 18 and 19 March 2017.

Table Bay Nature Reserve Quarterly Report for the period October to December 2016

During this quarter the Table Bay Nature Reserve experienced several highlights, including the publication of articles about the Nature Reserve in the City of Cape Town’s newsletter for staff (CONTACT magazine) as well as the SA Water Research Commission’s online magazine (Water Wheel). A very rare Squacco heron was seen in the Nature Reserve, causing bird watchers to flock to see it. The Rietvlei access control point generated R30,000 more cash revenue by the end of 2016, compared to 2015.

Quarterly report from the Table Bay Nature Reserve: July to September 2016

The Rietvlei Water Area is a key feature in the Table Bay Nature Reserve as it used intensively for watersport and shore-based recreation. The highlight of this quarter was the re-launching of the City’s refurbished double-jetty which is used by water users to embark and disembark from launched vessels.