Local beachgoers and authorities who teamed up to help save a beached swordfish at Gordon’s Bay Main Beach were commended for their swift response and best efforts in an attempt to rescue the sea creature.
“The public members on the scene are commended for trying their best to save the animal,” said Ryan Holmes, National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) Gordon’s Bay station commander. “The swift response of NSRI Gordon’s Bay, police, City Law Enforcement, QUEMIC and the City of Cape Town’s Marine Animal Stranding Network (MASN) is commended.
“While these events are sad and understandably citizens want to do their best for the animal, we appeal to the public to avoid risking injury in these natural circumstances.”
NSRI Station 9 duty crew were activated after a large swordfish was found beaching in local waters around 18:38 on Tuesday (31 October).
According to Holmes duty crew were requested by the City’s MASN to assist where the swordfish was beached in the surf at Gordon’s Bay and concerned residents were attempting to help the mammal back out to sea during the high tide peak.
An NSRI Gordon’s Bay rescue crew, the police and Law Enforcement officers responded to the scene while the SPCA was alerted and a MASN team from QUEMIC Nature Conservation was dispatched.
“On arrival on the scene the large swordfish was found beached. Despite risking injury concerned members of the public were attempting to refloat the animal, which continued to beach itself,” said Holmes.
“Authorities assisted to protect the beached animal, sadly unable to be returned to the ocean and has been removed for scientific study by the Department of Environmental Affairs. It is unknown what caused the swordfish to beach, although ill-health is suspected.”
Lisa Starr, founder of the Helderberg Ocean Awareness Movemnet (Hoam), expressed sadness at seeing “such a beautiful, huge swordfish struggling in the shoreline”. She shared that these species are deep-water fish that can reach 60 km speeds, and by adulthood they loose all their scales and teeth.
“Sadly it was most likely sick or injured and that’s why it came into shallow waters. They are also threatened by over fishing, pollution and climate change.”
Starr further implored Helderbergers to call 021 480 7700 or message Hoam on Facebook if they spot a beached mammal or large fish. “Please always wait for the professionals to arrive,” she said. “If you handle the subject you may cause further injury, death or even get injured yourself. We must always remember the circle of life too, our ocean is filled with life.”
