The Saldanha Bay Water Quality Forum Trust (SBWQFT), in partnership with Anchor Environmental Consultants (AEC), has released its seventeenth annual State of the Bay Report, providing an in-depth look at environmental trends affecting the health of Saldanha Bay and Langebaan Lagoon.
To explore the findings of the 2024 report, ask questions and engage with environmental specialists, residents of Saldanha Bay, Langebaan and the wider West Coast region and interested visitors are invited to attend the SBWQFT Open Day on Friday 8 November, held at the Athene Conference Centre at Club Mykonos, Langebaan.
With the open day the SBWQFT gives those attending the opportunity to learn about Saldanha Bay’s condition, explore the report’s recommendations and participate in discussions about the area’s future. It also wants to foster a deeper understanding of the environmental challenges and collaborative solutions needed to protect Saldanha Bay amid ongoing development.
The SBWQFT believes that, as the report emphasises, a sustainable future for the Bay requires coordinated efforts from residents, industries, and environmental advocates alike.
This 2024 report provides a comprehensive update on key environmental indicators, including water quality, juvenile fish stocks, bird populations, coastal erosion and invasive species, helping to guide sustainable development efforts.
The SBWQFT, founded in 1996, oversees this environmental monitoring with support from state, industry and community representatives, ensuring a balance between industrial expansion and the protection of the Saldanha Bay and Langebaan Lagoon ecosystems.
A mix of progress and new challenges are highlighted in the 2024 report. Some water-quality improvements have been noted in certain areas, likely due to upgraded wastewater management systems, while faecal pollution and microbial levels have reduced considerably at popular recreational beaches. Also on the discussion list are the remaining concerns about the impact of industrial activities on the marine environment, with high levels of manganese, arsenic and other trace metals recorded in marine organisms.
Newly recorded alien invasive species will be highlighted as well as declining numbers of seabirds and waders in the area.
Coastal erosion: a key concern
The report identifies coastal erosion as one of the most serious and pressing issues for Saldanha Bay. Decades of erosion, particularly along Big Bay and near the Langebaan Lagoon, have resulted in significant loss of shoreline, with some areas receding by up to 40 metres over the last decade.
Factors contributing to this problem include natural changes in sediment movement as well as disruptions from industrial developments. Changes in wave energy, altered by climate change and construction, have intensified erosion, endangering marine and coastal habitats and increasing risks for nearby infrastructure.
The report also discusses novel monitoring tools using satellite data to provide detailed assessments of erosion patterns, technology allowing for more precise monitoring of affected areas, helping to identify vulnerable sites and predict future shoreline changes.
In presenting an open day, the SBWQFT seeks to build a community committed to safeguarding Saldanha Bay and Langebaan Lagoon’s ecological and economic value.
Registration starts at 08:15 and the programme at 09:00. Speakers include Dr Alison Kock from SANParks, who will speak about marine research discoveries, and Phillip Tjale from the World Wildlife Fund will focus on early warning system technology. Dr Barry Clark (AEC) will provide the feedback on the 2024 report.
Lunch starts at 12:30. To book your free ticket, go to sbwqft.org.za
Written by Lily Bovim, Anchor Environmental Consultants.
