WHALE OF A TIME: Several species of whale visit the waters around Schoenmakerskop every year
THE Algoa Bay beachfront is Nelson Mandela Bay’s most valuable asset, generating R2-billion in tourism-related revenue, supporting small businesses and boasting Humewood as a recognised Blue Flag beach.
This was highlighted at the launch of the Wildlife and Environment Society’s “Know Your Bay” campaign last weekend, where Wessa regional manager Martheanne Finnemore informed the audience about the 12 most amazing creatures and features of Algoa Bay.
She said the beachfront hosts a wide range of events annually, one of which is the Ironman international sporting event, which brings in approximately R100-million annually.
“It also allows our beachfront artists to make a living and supports other small businesses,” she said.
Finnemore said the city’s hotels, conferencing attractions and bed and breakfasts also rely on the city’s beaches.
The other best aspects include:
The oceanography of Algoa Bay which is unique as the world’s largest current, the Agulhas, flows along the southeast coast of the country.
According to Bay oceanographer Eckart Schumann, the Agulhas is generated in the South Indian ocean and flows along South Africa’s coast due to the rotation of the earth.
“It transports 70 million cubic metres per second,” Schumann said.
Finnemore said this results in the wave action along the Algoa Bay coast.
The Swartkops River Estuary with its mudbanks and wetlands is a breeding ground to a variety of fish and bird species, Finnemore said.
“It is a wading bird’s and birder’s paradise with about 60 species of waders. It is also a source of sustainable living for the local population.”
Finnemore said the estuary is also one of national importance.
Zwartkops Conservancy member Jenny Rump said the Swartkops River Estuary is one of 27 along the coast, but was the only one found in the middle of a metro.
“It is the 11th most important estuary in South Africa in terms of biodiversity,” Rump added.
The hidden treasures of our offshore reefs have quickly become a highlight to underwater drivers.
According to Finnemore, diving has become a growing sport in Nelson Mandela Bay.
The Alexandria Coastal Dunefields comprises 1800 dunes for more than 50km from Sundays River Mouth to beyond Woody Cape.
“The dunefields were also nominated as a Unesco Heritage site in 2009,” Finnemore said.
Algoa Bay is of course known for being home to dolphins, sharks and whales.
“Algoa Bay is a “nursery” for great white sharks. They like to seek shelter in the Coega Harbour as juveniles,” she said.
Raggy Charters owner Lloyd Edwards added the coast is home to bottlenose (Indo-Pacific and common) and humpback dolphins.
He said several species of whales visit Algoa Bay, including killer whales and southern right whales which travel up from Antarctica to the warmer waters in order to mate and give birth to their young.
“Port Elizabeth also has the best bottle-nose dolphin viewing in the world,” he said.
Algoa Bay is home to a diverse fishing industry, including chokka, pilchards and shark, Finnemore said. She said approximately 21875 tons of fin fish are caught annually in the Algoa Bay area.
The Cape Recife Lighthouse and Conservancy offers unspoilt beauty, a wide variety of birdlife and plantlife and the third-oldest lighthouse in the country.
“It is also home to the South African Marine rehabilitation and education centre (Samrec),” Finnemore said.
Watersports has also grown in popularity due to the wind in the Bay.
Finnemore said the Pipe has been where aspirant surfers learn to surf before moving on to tackling the waves of Jeffreys Bay. She said yachting and boarding are also popular along the beachfront.
The Greater Addo Elephant National Park, St Croix Island and Bird Island are of national and international importance.
“Bird Island is a breeding ground for Cape gannets and is one of only six breeding sites in the world with about 250000 birds found there, while St Croix is home to the endangered African penguin and is the largest breeding population in the world with 22000 birds,” Finnemore said.
She said they were the only islands to be found along the coast line to Mozambique.
There are recreational and sustainable fishing opportunities for locals, especially at Swartkops River.
There is a ragged tooth shark tag-and-release at Pollok Beach.
The route from Cape Recife to Sardinia Bay boasts the Sacramento Trail with its Khoisan and early shipwreck history at Schoenmakerskop, Finnemore said.
“It also offers a stunning fynbos trail and horse riding along the beautiful Sardinia Bay beach,” she added. – Lee-Anne Butler
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