Dunes also at risk
2003-08-20 22:02
Cape Town - While authorities are concerned about the pollution threat posed by the stranded Sealand Express, they are also worried about the environmental impact of ship-watchers.
Capetonians have been flooding to Milnerton's Sunset Beach to
view the vessel, grounded in the breakers just offshore.
However, in their eagerness to see, they have been straying off the boardwalk laid to protect the dune ecosystem, and trampling plants.
On Wednesday afternoon, as another attempt to refloat the ship
approached, the city's environmental management and disaster
management departments issued an impassioned appeal to members of
the public.
"Please stay off the environmentally sensitive dunes in the area and... on the clearly indicated pathways," they said in a statement distributed through the media.
"The public are free to walk on the beach itself."
Residents of the area have also reportedly been issuing leaflets asking visitors to keep off the dunes.
- SAPA