Cape Town - Concerned fishermen have warned that a health crisis is brewing in False Bay after fish samples tested positive for dangerous E.coli bacteria.
The shocking discovery poses a threat to the livelihood of thousands fishing in the bay, and to the health of those living off their catches.
A fish exporter has revealed that the SA Bureau of Standards (SABS) made the disturbing discovery this year.
“I will never eat a fish that comes out of this bay,” said the business owner, who wanted to remain anonymous.
He said he came to the sickening realisation in July when an inspector from the SABS tested a sample of harders (mullet).
“Because we export fish, the SABS, according to their rules, regularly tests our samples,” he told the Cape Argus.
“In July they (SABS) took a sample of harders caught by treknets (in the Strandfontein area).”
He said within a matter of days the SABS inspector handed him the report stating the harders were “unfit for human consumption”.
“They were vuil (dirty) with E.coli,” he said of the tested fish.
Days later a second sample of harders from the same area was taken by the SABS and the initial results were confirmed.
“With the second sample the inspector took the fish directly from the treknets and again it was confirmed it had dangerously high levels of E.coli and was not fit for people to consume.”
E.coli is a bacteria that can cause gastrointestinal problems.
It can also lead to irritation of the skin, eyes and ears, and in some cases respiratory problems.
In extreme cases in children and the elderly it can also lead to kidney failure.
The man said he and other business owners who relied on the ocean were now worried about their livelihood.
Treknet operators like Val Arendse from Strandfontein could see their businesses sink.
Known as Aunty Val in the fishing community, she has been pulling fish out of False Bay since the 1990s.
“About 10 years ago or so you would see the council people travelling up and down the coast doing their tests on the water,” said Val.
“Nowadays you don’t see them.”
Arendse said harders, like the sample that tested positive, were in great demand.
“At the moment harders are a main source of income, they are what people want,” she said.
“I have never heard of anyone becoming sick from our fish.”
However, she admitted that the far side of the bay, near Macassar, had seen the quality of their harders deteriorate to the point where customers refused to buy them.
“The only fish I used to be concerned about were those in Macassar because of that sewage plant that runs into the sea.”
She said that if the E.coli threat spread, it could be devastating for her and other trek-fishers.
“If that is the case, we will be without any income.”
Mayoral committee member for health Benedicta van Minnen said without seeing the SABS report, she could not comment on the matter.
“Even then, we might not be able to comment because there are very strict regulations around testing methods and reliability,” said Van Minnen.
She explained that the city did not test marine species.
“My office has received no reports about the quality of the water along the False Bay Coast – regular tests are conducted by the city’s Scientific Services who report any concerns there may be.”
The threat of E.coli had the City of Cape Town on high alert last year and for parts of this year.
* In February, councillors raised concerns about high levels of the bacteria along Fish Hoek beach.
* In September, health officials warned that seawater along Hout Bay contained dangerously high levels of E.coli, and warned bathers and surfers to avoid the beach.
* The city was also forced to close parts of Zeekoevlei last month because E.coli levels had exceeded the allowable standard.
* In November last year, a high concentration of E.coli was recorded at the Milnerton Lagoon, sparking warnings by the city.
Jan Brink, of Western Province Angling, said the problem was only getting worse in False Bay.
“We do lots of competitions along False Bay and I catch fish often, but I will rather get rid of it than eat it.
“Even the taste is different,” added the experienced angler.
“It has become so bad the water even smells of raw (human) waste.
“What worries me even more is the people who stop along the road to buy fish pulled out of that bay.
“I cannot see how people can eat that fish. They don’t know what it contains.”
He said the SABS report confirming the presence of E.coli in harders came as no surprise to him.
“This raises a worrying issue because the harders are eaten by bigger fish like kabeljou.
“That means that fish will also become affected by E.coli.
“In my opinion it is one hell of a problem and I don’t know how it is going to be solved.”
Cape Argus