Residents on the KwaZulu-Natal north coast discovered hundreds of dead fish near the Umhlali River, leading to the closure of two beaches as a precaution. The incident, which affected various marine species, occurred over two days, with the cause still under investigation. Local authorities have warned against contact with the affected areas until safety is confirmed.
On Thursday, 12 February, early in the morning, residents near Tinley Manor beach found hundreds of dead fish at the mouth of the Umhlali River. Some fish were still alive, gasping for air or stranded along the water line. The scale of the event shocked local resident Tessa Duane, chair of the Dolphin Coast Conservancy, who visited the site around 10am that day. She noted the deaths extended to crabs, shrimps, and larger estuarine fish.
By Friday morning, 13 February, more dead and dying fish appeared in the tidal pool at Shaka’s Rock, approximately 8km south of the initial site. Video footage captured species including barracuda, kingfish, queenfish, mullet, grunter, stumpnose, ponyfish, and tilapia.
In response, the KwaDukuza Municipality announced the immediate closure of the Umhlali River mouth and Shaka’s Cove tidal pool. The statement advised residents not to consume any dead fish and to keep children and pets away from the areas. Bathers were urged to avoid swimming until the cause is determined.
"Relevant authorities are actively monitoring the situation and will provide updates as further information becomes available. The affected areas will only be reopened once it has been confirmed that conditions are safe for public use," the municipality stated.
Ecologists have refrained from speculating without water sample results but pointed to possible factors such as low oxygen levels before dawn, sewage or chemical pollution, high temperatures, or river mouth breaching from heavy rain introducing colder, saltier water. A similar incident occurred about 10 days earlier at the Isipingo River south of Durban, linked to a sewage leak.