Plans for a huge development, which includes a small-craft harbor and a commercial promenade at Durban's Point Waterfront have been submitted to the EIA Authorities. This project is another example of coastal development overlooking the environment and the voices of local residents solely to please a small elite of wealthy investors. The development has been labeled a "playground for the rich", being built for the sole purpose of inflating property values in the area.
The project would see tons of concrete being poured over the submerged diving reefs at Vetch's Pier and on to the adjoining sandy beach. The reef is now a well-established marine ecosystem, which cannot be reproduced, enjoyed by divers and snorklers everyday. Pollution (fuel, oil, bacteria and waste) will be produced by the small craft harbor, affecting water quality in the area. The development will destroy Durban's widest and flattest sandy beach. The calm waters are ideal for the breeding habits of small fish species and it's also a favorite family gathering place for surfers and their families, with kids paddling out for the first time due to the calm nature of the conditions.
Vetch's beach is considered part of Durban's heritage and the best beach on the Golden Mile. Durban is known both nationally and internationally as “surf city” due to its unique surfing conditions that suit both beginners and experts. The developer’s proposals will destroy the cradle of surfing in Durban. Approximately 40,000 surfers have learnt to surf at Vetch's beach over the past ± 40 years. Almost 200 new surfers per month emerge from the surf schools situated at Vetch's beach. Roxy Surf School has produced over 7000 girl surfers over the past 6 years from the Vetch's beach area. World Champions Shaun Tomson (1976), Martin Potter (1989) and Jordy Smith (2003, 2006) all learnt their early skills in this area. Currently Ethekweni, Durban has 20,000 active surfers (80% learnt to surf at Vetch's beach).
The affected parties, who fear the beach will be “privatized” and “destroyed” by the development have raised hundreds of objections against this project. The opposing parties not only include surfers, but fisherman who use the area for livelihood. Vetch's Pier is the only area south of St Lucia with an unexploited stock of mussels fit for human consumption. It serves as a nursery for diverse species of juvenile fish, and for hundreds of years, fishermen have used this area. Divers and explorers also oppose the project. There are 64 shipwrecks, many unexplored, containing valuable artifacts off the harbor mouth and in the Vetch's and Limestone reef vicinity, which would be cemented over for this project.
The Wildlife and Environment Society of South Africa also objected unreservedly to the proposal. Spokeswoman Di Dold said apart from pollution and potential damage by boats to the natural limestone reef and Vetch's, there was concern about the sustainability of the harbor and that a large portion of recreational beach frontage was being lost.
The local surfing community in Durban has initiated a letter-writing campaign and your support is needed to save Vetchies. So please, click on “Help Save the Wave” and see what you can do to help!
Save the Waves needs your support! A donation will greatly help us continue our conservation work, as well as our ongoing effort to educate the world's government and industry leaders that surf spots are an invaluable and irreplaceable asset to any coastline.
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