Whale carcass near uMhlanga forces beach closure
The bathing ban will stay in place until the whale carcass is disposed of.
A BATHING ban has been placed on beaches between eMdloti and uMhlanga. The news comes after a badly decomposed humpback whale washed up near Peace Cottage (north of the Ohlanga River).
The whale had been spotted off eMdloti on Sunday and had been towed out to sea. However strong winds pushed the carcass back towards the shore, when it eventually washed up near uMhlanga on Monday morning.
KwaZulu-Natal Sharks Board spokesman, Mike Anderson-Reade, said Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife were dealing with ways in which to cut up the carcass move the body.
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“We’ve suspended bathing on the beaches between uMhlanga and eMdloti as the chum slick from the large whale would attract sharks,” he said.
Cara Reilly of the uMhlanga Urban Improvement Precinct said the bathing ban would stay in place for the time being.
“As soon as the water has cleared, the beaches will be reopened,” she said.
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