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FIDO may soon be restricted to specific parts of Noordhoek Beach if suggestions made at a recent site visit are given the go-ahead.

Table Mountain National Parks (TMNP), in an attempt to protect endangered species, has drafted an environmental management programme (EMP) to identify appropriate areas for dog walking.

The second draft of the EMP was recently distributed and was discussed this Friday at a public meeting on Noordhoek Beach.

It closed for public comment on the same day.

Concerns and suggestions will be included in the final EMP, which will be drafted after public comments are considered.

The EMP aims to, among others, identify areas for dog walking, develop regulations and a code of conduct for walkers, as well as identify dog walkers' impact on endangered species and the environment.

Suggested designated areas include 20 m from the water's edge and on a pathway separate from those used by beach goers.

In the draft EMP, no dogs are allowed on the Noordhoek boardwalk and wetlands.

Proposed rules include limiting dog walking to designated areas, compelling owners to remove dog faeces, walkers always carrying a leash for their dogs and the assurance that dogs do not injure or kill any wildlife.

Potential environmental impacts, such as increased litter, faeces, dogs fighting and the trampling of natural vegetation, have also been considered.

It was noted that Noordhoek Beach's parking area will require special management as access to the beach for dog walkers is "limited to the designated and signposted route".

Noordhoek Corner, near Klein Slangkop, is also earmarked for special management as it may be seasonally closed to dog walkers to prevent the disturbance of ground-breeding birds. It is proposed that Noordhoek boardwalk be closed to dog walking.

Gavin Bell from TMNP assured the crowd gathered for the public comment session that all input would be acknowledged.

"The use of the area has increased and we will try to create a management system to please everybody."

The programme will be reviewed in five years' time. Dog walkers suggested separate paths for themselves, as faeces left by irresponsible pet owners on the trails is unsightly.

"We have to work out what is practical by demarcating areas and successfully managing the separated areas," one dog walker said.

She also placed emphasis on keeping horses and dogs as far apart as possible, as they could harm each other as well as people if they came into direct contact.

However, the suggested designa?ted path for dog walkers raised concern for personal safety, as criminals are known to lurk behind the dunes.

Ideas such as cutting down or trimming bushes had some residents up in arms, as they emphasised the sensitivity of the park's dune system.

Another suggestion was for more bins to be placed along the beach and paths to accommodate and promote responsible dog wal?king.

"If you respect your fellow wal?ker, you will make sure they find the walking area ? and the beach, for that matter ? in the same state in which you would like to find it," said a pet owner.

Those present suggested fines be issued to those who fail to comply with the rules once these are official. Bell said although everything would be done to make sure the suggested rules are enforced, success is not guaranteed.

"We obviously won't find the perfect answer immediately, but we will get it right when we review the situation," he said.

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