The public is urged to refrain from picking up and collecting dead marine life off the Umdloti and uMhlanga coastline as they have been contaminated with toxic chemicals and could be harmful to humans. The public is also reminded that the beaches north of the Umgeni River are closed as a precautionary measure. The public is advised to refrain from all recreational activities, including swimming, fishing or surfing, bait collection and picking up of dead species.

Collecting or harvesting of any marine living resource in the area is temporarily prohibited until the cause is determined and the threat has abated. A specialised chemical clean-up company has been appointed to clean up the spill as well as any contamination including the marine life. Specialised clean-up crews are on site to deal with the collection and disposal of dead marine life in a responsible manner.

Authorities are monitoring the area to determine the extent of the impact of the spill and appeal to the public to refrain from going to the beach. The fish kill follows the toxic chemical spill into the uMhlanga Estuary after a chemical warehouse was burnt down in Cornubia during the recent unrest. Please report any further contamination or fish kill to 083 253 6618.

@durban.gov.za