A significant portion of South Africa’s premier beach, 16 Mile Beach, located in the West Coast National Park, has been lost to the Atlantic Ocean in recent decades. The beach is, on average, 52m narrower than it was when aerial photographs were taken in 1937.
Picture: Jessica Oosthuyse/ Getaway Gallery
The beach, located on the Western Cape, stretches for a total of 25,7 kilometres and is known for its pristine beauty and excellent surfing spots. However, for the past few decades, the beach has been eroding at a steady rate, with the rate of erosion increasing significantly in the past few years. According to local experts, several factors are contributing to the erosion, including rising sea levels, coastal development, and the removal of sand from the beach for construction.
‘While coastal erosion is exacerbated by climate-driven sea level rise and anthropogenic forces, the extent and severity vary from region to region,’ said scientists conducting this research to Business Insider.
The effects of the erosion are already visible, with some parts of the beach disappearing altogether, and many buildings and infrastructure at risk of collapse. The loss of the beach is also having a significant impact on the local economy, as tourism is one of the main sources of income for the area. The disappearing beach is also affecting local fishing communities, who rely on the coast for their livelihoods.
‘The most drastic changes are those between 2015 and 2020, whereby most of the shoreline shows an increased landward movement. All of Pearl Bay, Yzerfontein main beach and the southern end of Sixteen Mile Beach show the largest amount of change within this period,’
The government and local authorities are taking action to address the crisis, with a number of projects underway to try and stabilize the coast and prevent further erosion. These include beach nourishment, the construction of groynes and breakwaters, and the implementation of regulations on coastal development. However, experts warn that more needs to be done to address the root causes of the problem and find a long-term solution.
As the effects of climate change continue to be felt around the world, coastal erosion is becoming an increasingly urgent issue. It is essential that action is taken now to address this crisis, not only to protect the natural environment but also to safeguard the livelihoods and communities that depend on it.
It is important for authorities to take notice of the situation and take necessary actions, as well as for people to raise awareness of the issue. It is also crucial to find a solution not only to stop the erosion but to prevent it from happening again. An integrated approach that takes into account environmental, social and economic factors would be the best course of action to achieve this. It is a reminder that climate change is real, and it is taking a toll on our planet, and it’s up to us to take care of it.
