The public has been advised not to eat fish caught from Zeekoevlei, and the Groot and Little Lotus Rivers until further notice.
The City of Cape Town has been informed that samples of Tilapia and Carp fish from Zeekoevlei contained levels of mercury and lead exceeding the permissible levels for safe human consumption.
In July last year, the City appointed independent consultants to develop a rehabilitation plan for Zeekoevlei which is located within the False Bay Nature Reserve.
According to a media statement released last week, a specialist fish study formed part of the brief, and entailed a survey of the fish populations in the vlei; an assessment of the levels of trace metals such as lead, zinc, and mercury in the fish; and potential risks associated with human consumption.
The specialist fish study was undertaken in April, covering the Common Carp and Mozambique Tilapia, both invasive alien fish that constitute the far majority of the fish population in the Zeekoevlei.
