Regular beach walkers have reported increased sightings of skinny Cape fur seals or dead sea pups on Overstrand beaches in recent weeks.

Tarron Dry, the Biodiversity Conservation Manager of the Overstrand Municipality said these sightings are not uncommon for this time of year.

“Cape fur seals are born between mid- November and late December. Their moms nurse them till August - September the next year (around 7- 8 months), as she has to prepare herself to take care of the next pup she's carrying and is due in November”.

Vaccination sites in the Overberg District for this week, 27 September - 1 October 2021

1. Remember your identification document
2. Second vaccine - remember your vaccination card
3. EVDS registration assistance available at all vaccination sites

Sites in Overstrand will be operational from 09:00 - 14:00 weekdays.

Hermanus Auditorium: 27, 29 Sept & 1 Oct 2021
Gansbaai Pretorius Hall: 27, 29, 30 Sept 2021
Zwelihle Community Hall: 27 Sept 2021
Hermanus CDC: 28, 30 Sept 2021
Kleinmond Protea Hall: 28 Sept 2021
Mt Pleasant Moffat Hall: 29 Sept 2021
Betty's Bay Crassula Hall: 30 Sept 2021
Stanford Community Hall: 30 Sept 2021

During crime prevention and road policing patrols on 23 September 2021, Overstrand Municipality share the following successes of the day:

• Several fines were issued for traffic violations at various locations in Hermanus, such as not wearing seat belts, driving without a license, holding a cell phone whilst driving and not stopping at red traffic lights.
  
  
• Law enforcement officers from the Overstrand K9 and Task Team Unit initiated a pursuit after a vehicle on the N2 near Villiersdorp failed to stop after a traffic violation of reckless driving was observed. The driver fled the scene after a crash.
  
  A total of 5 593 units of abalone were found in transparent bags on the rear passenger seat. The abandoned vehicle and abalone were taken to Villiersdorp SAPS.

The Two Oceans Aquarium has urged fishermen and beach walkers to be on the look out for any weak, floating, sad looking or stranded turtles along the Overstrand beaches.

According to the Turtle Stranding Network, stranding of bigger turtles is increasing again which is a pattern for this time of the year.

The sea turtles are at special risk because of the cold water, plastic ingestion, ghost fishing gear, boat strikes, injury and strong onshore winds.

Large stranded turtles can seem dead but please give the Turtle Rescue Hotline a call on 083 300 1663 so they can double and triple check whether they are alive or not.