Divers urged to stay out of the sea at Melkbosstrand

The Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Department has urged divers and surfers to stay out of the water at Melkbosstrand until after the Easter holidays.The department is investigating toxicity levels after receiving reports of dead fish and abalone.Some residents have also complained that raw sewerage is spilling into the ocean.However, the department’s Hein Wyngaard has denied this, saying high algae levels may be to blame.He assured Capetonians that certain fish dishes are safe to eat this Good Friday.“I’m quite sure what people will be eating over the weekend will be fish that has been caught before this low oxygen event, so I don’t think people need to be concerned about that they eat this weekend,” he said.Wyngaard also urged divers to rather play it safe.“It’s mainly in the Melkbosstrand area where we say it’s rather best to tell divers and rights holders not to go and fish in that area until we’ve been able to sort out the problem.”From Eye Witness News by Giovanna Gerbi < http://www.eyewitnessnews.co.za >