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Our unique coastline<h2 class="sectHeading">The Cape coastline</h2><p>Our rich and varied landscapes, plants and creatures make it the perfect coast to explore, as well as an important one to take care of. Cape Town’s 307 kilometre coastline has more than <a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/Family%20and%20home/See-all-city-facilities/Our-recreational-facilities/Beaches">70 beaches</a>, <a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/Explore%20and%20enjoy/See-all-city-facilities/Our-recreational-facilities/Tidal%20pools">tidal pools</a>, rocky and sandy shores, coastal dunes, estuaries and more!</p> <span> <div class="notification with-heading dark-copy light-blue bg-light-grey"><div class="graphic with-border"> <i class="info fastfact"></i> </div><div class="desc"><h4>Fast fact</h4><p> Our marine and coastal ecosystems are home to rare and endangered species.</p></div></div> </span> <h4>Our coastline is special because it:</h4><ul><li>attracts visitors and tourism revenue to Cape Town;</li><li>offers a connection to nature;</li><li>protects the city from <a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/Family%20and%20home/safety-in-the-home/natural-disasters-and-your-home/sea-surges-and-high-waves">storm surges</a>;</li><li>supports our unique <a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/Explore%20and%20enjoy/Nature-and-outdoors/Our-precious-biodiversity/The-capes-animal-kingdom">fauna</a> and <a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/Explore%20and%20enjoy/Nature-and-outdoors/Our-precious-biodiversity/Our-floral-kingdom">flora</a>;</li><li>offers an abundance of food and raw materials;</li><li>receives some of our waste; and</li><li>supports subsistence fishermen and their families.</li></ul><h2 class="sectHeading">​​​​​​​​Threats to our coastline</h2><p>Our coastline is precious and<a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/Explore%20and%20enjoy/nature-and-outdoors/our-beaches-and-coast/conserving-our-coast"> we need to protect it</a>. </p><h4>Here are some of the biggest threats to our coastline:</h4><ul><li>Over-exploitation like poaching, especially of abalone; </li><li>Habitat destruction from development and mining, and poor regulation thereof;</li><li>Erosion and damage to sensitive coastal dune systems;</li><li>Pollution from sewage, stormwater runoff and shipping activities;</li><li>Invasive alien species (plants and animals) which alter natural processes by overrunning indigenous species; and</li><li>Climate change which will increase the severity of weather putting coastal property and infrastructure at risk</li></ul><h2 class="sectHeading">​​​​​​​​Our marine biodiversity</h2><p>We have one of the most diverse marine ecosystems in the world. The warm Agulhas current that sweeps down the east coast and the cold Benguela current that flows up the west coast creates an incredibly rich and varied marine life.</p><p>Cape Town’s coastline offers some of the world’s best whale-watching spots. The whales most commonly seen from shore are Southern Right Whales, which visit our waters between June and November each year.</p> <span> <div class="notification with-heading dark-copy light-blue bg-light-grey"><div class="graphic with-border"> <i class="info fastfact"></i> </div><div class="desc"><h4>Fast fact</h4><p> During summer, the west coast has an upwelling of nutrient-rich cold water that supports plankton growth. This then supports a variety of food webs, including shoals of 'Pelagic' fish like anchovies, pilchards and snoek.</p></div></div> </span> <p>Our rocky shores are especially rich in species because of their diversity of micro-habitats (smaller habitats). We also have breeding sites of seabirds and seals on offshore islands, while colonies of African penguin breed at Boulders Beach, Burgher’s Walk and on Robben Island.</p><p>Find out how we protect our coastline and its creatures, and how you can get involved by reading <a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/explore%20and%20enjoy/nature-and-outdoors/our-beaches-and-coast/conserving-our-coast">Conserving our coast</a>.</p> <span> <div class="notification with-heading dark-copy light-blue bg-light-grey"><div class="graphic with-border"> <i class="info fastfact"></i> </div><div class="desc"><h4>Fast fact</h4><p>In 1991, South Africa was the first country to declare White Sharks a protected species.</p></div></div></span> <h2 class="sectHeading">​​​​​​​​Explore </h2><p>Our <a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/Family%20and%20home/See-all-City-facilities/Our-recreational-facilities/Beaches">beaches listing page</a> is a directory of Cape Town beaches and features all the details you need to plan a day out on the coast. You can also read our <a href="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/documentcentre/Documents/Graphics%20and%20educational%20material/CCT_Beaches_-_a_diversity_of_coastal_treasures_2009.pdf" target="_blank">City of Cape Town Beaches: A Diversity of Coastal Treasures Map and Booklet</a> for more information on Cape Town’s most popular beaches and secret gems, as well as its fascinating ecology and creatures.</p>GP0|#0a368ea9-eb44-4c58-991f-8278a497049f;L0|#00a368ea9-eb44-4c58-991f-8278a497049f|Our unique coastline;GTSet|#ef3a64a2-d764-44bc-9d69-3a63d3fadea1;GPP|#6845b9bb-09a3-4506-b672-ee3438642214;GPP|#553ce1f7-0fea-434b-bbc1-744edbd62039;GPP|#c529c1ac-1f8d-48ae-8079-d34f4dae9c57;GP0|#6719b3be-1937-4378-8764-7dab1050e2ab;L0|#06719b3be-1937-4378-8764-7dab1050e2ab|Our unique coastline;GPP|#accad947-4ac6-4079-b2d7-f98553346e42;GPP|#184712e4-2ee9-4f2d-9e3a-71f917b536fa;GPP|#af370586-9ba3-404a-9d6e-02066ca42752Explore Cape Town’s coastline, with its diversity of landscapes, plants and creatures.0

 

 

City of Cape Town Beaches: A Diversity of Coastal Treasures Booklet4994382GP0|#5702b03d-251a-4a3f-8243-b5b3f7bb764a;L0|#05702b03d-251a-4a3f-8243-b5b3f7bb764a|Booklet;GTSet|#f1e8889f-f7d7-4d5b-a3f5-af0ca2e076ea;GPP|#5340fe0b-73a7-472c-bef7-04e450fb5c4f;GPP|#0972c695-fd19-46c4-ab5d-9601f17b780e2009-09-30T22:00:00Z

 

 

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