Join the hyacinth clean-up at Toti Lagoon
The next phase of the clean-up will be on Sunday, March 27, from 08:00.
OVER the long weekend, a group of community members managed to clear 95% of the hyacinths in the Toti lagoon.
“We, a group of volunteers, worked four days and ‘hired’ three unemployed guys to help. In return, we gave them food, clothes, money and bedding. Thank you to Carmen Mulvaney from Produce Direct Farmer’s Market and Ollies Pub & Grill Amanzimtoti for your generous donations. We are assisting the boys, as they are assisting us,” said volunteer and organiser, Shaun Callaghan.
ALSO READ: World Water Day: Teach your child about water conservation
The hyacinth was pushed over the weir, down their custom, hand-built channel and left to die with the salt water over night. Most of that hyacinth is now on the beach.
“A tedious task for the municipal cleaners, but an absolute delight for us cleaning the river,” said Callaghan.
They do these clean-ups because water hyacinths are invasive and deadly for rivers and lagoons. They double in size/ mass every few weeks and cover the river, blocking out sunlight, draining the oxygen which then kills off everything in the river.
They are removing it so the river can be healthy again.
“I am the one who organises the events and brings the boats and other equipment. My business partner, Ben Card, who has also helped with many other river clean-ups, came to help. We only do this for the environment. Something else to note, is that sewerage runs into that river in around five spots, almost constantly. I have offered water filtration solutions, litter booms to stop filth flowing out, among many ideas. All self funded and yet, no officials in the area seem to help,” said Callaghan.
The big work is yet to start, as they need to brainstorm the river section and how to push the hyacinth down into the lagoon, without waiting for the obvious rain or flood. If anyone would like volunteer, they will be at the Toti Lagoon on Sundays from 08:00.
DID YOU KNOW?
Click on the words highlighted in red to read more on this and related topics. To receive news links via WhatsApp or Telegram, send an invite to 061 694 6047
The South Coast Sun is also on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest – why not join us there? Do you have more information pertaining to this story? Feel free to let us know by commenting on our Facebook page or you can contact our newsroom on 031 903 2341 and speak to a journalist.
(Comments posted on this issue may be used for publication in the Sun)
