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"Natural or Unnatural"

"Natural or Unnatural"

Author: Kasia Yoko
Date: 2014-07-11
The cause of death of marine life in Umdloti lagoon unexplained - foul play suspected

Dead fish in Umdloti Lagoon shocked water sports enthusiasts and cast suspicion on the road works company, which is fixing the M4.

Umdloti's husband and wife kite surfers Phill and Caroline Helfer are both avid nature sport lovers WhatsApped the kitesurfing community earlier this week. The message read:

"I am sad to report death. Saw about 200 dead fish, from 50 grams to about 2kg and a tanker, either pumping chemicals or taking water (out or in) right at the top way past the bridge. # Plates was NPN 372 88, 'MillingTechnikes' was written on the door,and 'Road rehabilitation' was written on the tank.

Later Phill messaged again saying, "I am amazed how many proper sized fish there were in the lagoon 2kg plus floating all over, all on the sand bank also - fricken stinks"

" I was scared to wet my feet No Lies. I was wobbling on the SUP in the middle of the lagoon."

Phill confirmed that his wife Caroline sneaked up on the truck to get the number plate.

Umdloti kitesurfer Gerrard Smith and local conservationist, Wade Holland investigated the dead fish. What they found on the shores of the lagoon shocked them.

"While oxygen starvation may be another cause of the fishs' death, this would usually only happen in winter if there was no wind and we had lots of wind the days before this." Said Gerrard Smith."Wind causes chop which intern adds oxygen to the water. Similarly kite surfers movements on the water would also help to oxygenate the water."

Wade runs a successful guesthouse on the lagoon in Umdloti, and Gerrard his neighbour, are gravely concerned about the health implications of the polluted water for the sports enthusiasts who use the lagoon for water sports.

"What is the cause of these deaths in our lagoon?" Gerrard Smith wants answers. "Kite surfers are up in arms as they feel the lake may be dangerous to their health."

While at this point it is unknown what caused the deaths of so many fish in the lagoon, Umdloti residents Wade and Gerrard took water samplesand the investigations continues. While The Bugle has sent Milling Techniks a request for comment, we await their response.