Adverse weather hampers Durban beach clean-up
The South African Maritime Safety Authority says bad weather conditions could make 'nurdle' clean-up operations more difficult.
Billions of 'nurdles' have washed up on beaches along the KZN coast after a container from a Mediterranean Shipping Company vessel got lost into the water during the severe Durban storm earlier this month.
The container had been filled with the small plastic pellets - that could pose a threat to marine line and humans if consumed. Although not harmful in their original form, the 'nurdles' can absorb toxins.
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SAMSA announced yesterday that a directive has been given to MSC to determine the extent of the pollution.
"We have just started with the assessment throughout the course that has been affected. The clean-up on the beach has started. It depends also on the weather conditions. If you've noticed - the wind just picked up - this means it becomes difficult to clean-up the beaches. There's a lot of sand blowing and these plastic pellets are very light," says SAMSA's Hopewell Mkhize.
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