The City of Cape Town is monitoring the local coastline following recent Blue Dragon sea slug sightings at Muizenberg, amid questions about whether the phenomenon could affect Helderberg shores.
Eddie Andrews, deputy mayor and Mayoral Committee member for Spatial Planning and Environment, confirmed that the City conducted a site inspection at Muizenberg Beach last Thursday morning (29 January).
“Our teams identified five Blue Dragon sea slugs and a significant number of Blue Bottles during the inspection,” Andrews said. “We will continue to monitor the coastline for any changes.”
He explained that the presence of these species is a natural, common phenomenon driven by warmer summer water temperatures and the prevailing south-easterly winds. “This natural occurrence may persist, depending on oceanographic and climatic conditions.”
Andrews further noted that Blue Dragons generally pose less risk than Blue Bottles, as they lack long tentacles and appear in significantly smaller numbers. Consequently, the public is advised to follow standard precautions regarding Blue Bottles when visiting the beach.
When asked about the probability of similar occurrences on Helderberg beaches, Andrews said: “Given the current oceanographic and climatic conditions, it’s highly likely.
“There are no formal public advisories, exclusion zones or warnings at this stage. We encourage beachgoers to follow the usual safety precautions.”
The public is advised to apply common sense and not to touch either Blue Dragons or Blue Bottles. If stung, engage with lifesavers who can advise and possibly treat on site. “The City remains committed to public safety and will provide timely updates and advisories should any significant changes occur along the coastline,” he added.
DistrictMail & Helderberg Gazette reported a sighting along Strand beach in December 2024. Lisa Starr, founder of the Helderberg Ocean Awareness Movement, emphasised the caution given the highly venomous nature of these bright blue, approximately 3 cm creatures. “As always, do not touch anything wild – just leave it alone.”
