Minor traces of a dark, sticky, and smearable substance have been found on several beaches along the Garden Route coastline in recent weeks. The source of the residue remains unknown.
According to Gerhard Otto, Garden Route District Municipality Manager for Disaster Management, the first reports came from the Bitou municipal area, with further sightings moving westward across the region up to Still Bay. He said the substance typically dries out and breaks down within about six days.
Beachgoers have reported the sticky residue on their feet, surfboards, and visible strips along high and low tide marks. So far, there have been no reports of any impact on wildlife.
Residents and visitors are urged to report any sightings of the residue to the Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) Emergency Call Centre on WhatsApp at 081 709 5193, including a location pin to assist with mapping and clean-up operations. An interactive map showing affected areas is expected to be published within the next week.
Clean-up and assessment efforts are ongoing, with local municipalities and various stakeholders working to remove visible traces of the substance. About 30 bags of residue have already been collected and will be transported to approved hazardous waste disposal facilities in Cape Town and Gqeberha.
The National Department of Transport is responsible for response operations when spills occur at sea, while municipalities handle clean-ups once the residue reaches areas above the high-tide mark.
Samples of the material will be tested, but no conclusive evidence has yet been found linking it to any specific source. A follow-up update is expected on 19 November.
According to Gerhard Otto, Garden Route District Municipality Manager for Disaster Management, the first reports came from the Bitou municipal area, with further sightings moving westward across the region up to Still Bay. He said the substance typically dries out and breaks down within about six days.
Beachgoers have reported the sticky residue on their feet, surfboards, and visible strips along high and low tide marks. So far, there have been no reports of any impact on wildlife.
Residents and visitors are urged to report any sightings of the residue to the Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) Emergency Call Centre on WhatsApp at 081 709 5193, including a location pin to assist with mapping and clean-up operations. An interactive map showing affected areas is expected to be published within the next week.
Clean-up and assessment efforts are ongoing, with local municipalities and various stakeholders working to remove visible traces of the substance. About 30 bags of residue have already been collected and will be transported to approved hazardous waste disposal facilities in Cape Town and Gqeberha.
The National Department of Transport is responsible for response operations when spills occur at sea, while municipalities handle clean-ups once the residue reaches areas above the high-tide mark.
Samples of the material will be tested, but no conclusive evidence has yet been found linking it to any specific source. A follow-up update is expected on 19 November.
