Pansy shell urchins, Echinodiscusbisperforatus, occur on sand spits in the lagoon,
particularly the Pansy Bank off Bollard Bay. The flat, biscuit-like shells of the dead urchin, the unofficial logo of Knysna, have been collected to such an extent, that live urchins have also been gathered. This has seriously depleted the pansy shell population and is strictly illegal.

PARKS AND BEACHES

With the exception of the public braai facilities at Green Hole, no picnic braai fires or any other fires are allowed at any parks, beaches or public open spaces on Leisure Isle

•Green Hole (east shore)

This is the only public park on Leisure Island, with proper facilities in place. No camping, alcohol or littering allowed, and no loud music after 8.00 pm Hours :08h00-21h00 Public toilets and 2 outside showers 10 built braai facilities, with shelters.

•Bollard Bay No public facilities are provided, but portable toilets are provided during the end-of-year holiday period. Notice: No fires, camping, alcohol, littering

•BayswaterPark

No public facilities are provided on this small piece of open ground at the western end of Bayswater Road. Notice: Residential area-no fires, no camping, no loud music after 8pm.

•Land’s End

•No public facilities are provided at this small beach on the western tip of the Island.

• Steenbok Nature Park & Kingfisher Creek No public facilities are provided

There is one Public Telephone on the Island, in Links Drive near the entrance to Steenbok Nature Park.

• Green Hole: Open 24 hours
• Small Boat Harbour: Open during daylight hours

Tradition has it that Roses do not grow too well on Leisure Isle; loose sandy soils, salt laden strong winds, limey spike water and so on. But early in 2006 a group of rose aficionados formed a group determined to promote the enjoyable growing of roses. They arc no\\ members of the Knysna Rose Society (KRS), and the Chairman is Alan Tew who lives at 17 Kingsway, Leisure Isle, telephone 384 1918. Why not give him a call? You'd be very welcome.

The crime level on Leisure Isle is fortunately comparatively low, and a number of features are in place to ensure that all on the Island continue to enjoy a safe environment.

If in doubt about the safety of a person or craft in the lagoon or at sea, contact the NSRI at Knysna (044) 384 0211

The National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRT) station in Knysna is situated near Fountain Point at the Heads. Their volunteers are called out by a group text (sms). Their callout time is less than 15 minutes and their record is 6 minutes.

The Knysna NSRI is equipped to deal with rescue situations at sea as well as within the Lagoon, in situations involving windsurfers, kayakers and canoeists, water- skiers, swimmers, divers, fishermen and users of small boats.

Safety Hints:

In the interests of visitors as well as those that use the Knysna Lagoon or leave it to put out to sea, the NSRI in Knysna have issued a list of safety bints, which include the following:

• Non-seagoing craft are strongly advised not to proceed south of Fountain Point (white beacon at the Heads) on an outgoing tide. Besides being extremely dangerous it is against local regulations for all craft that are not in possession of current seaworthy certificates to proceed south of this point.

• Make sure that non-swimmers wear lifejackets that are capable of supporting the wearer in the water in a face-up position. It is also advisable to wear a lifejacket at all times when underway in a boat.

• Notify somebody responsible on shore of your proposed movements and estimated time of return prior to launching.

• Ensure that all seagoing craft comply with the safety requirements and carry all the equipment on board as specified in local regulations enforced by SANParks  (see SANParks leaflet Boating in the Knysna Lagoon)

• For your own safety and in terms of local regulations which are enforced by SANParks, no person shall use any vessel in the water area unless the following equipment is on board:

an efficient, approved lifejacket for each person on board

sufficient oars to land the vessel

a pump or other suitable bailer, unless the vessel design makes this unnecessary

a suitable rear-view mirror for any boat towing a skier

an efficient whistle or siren on board

an efficient fire extinguisher on board motor boats

when a vessel is used between sunset and sunrise, it must display a white light which is visible in all directions at a distance of at least 200 metres

• Power craft must give way to sail.

• Be considerate and reduce speed when passing anchored craft, craft on moorings and craft tied up alongside a jetty (and canoes).

• Always keep a sharp lookout for swimmers and divers (divers should display the international code flag "Alpha" - a blue and white swallow- tail flag which signifies "Diver down - keep clear").

• Skippers of sea-going craft who are not familiar with local conditions are strongly advised to enquire from local fishermen or the NSR1 before putting to sea. In particular they should enquire as to the state of the bars in the Heads which at times are treacherous.

Check the local NSRI website www.knysna.co.za/nsri 12

The Knysna seahorse is the world's only known estuarine seahorse, and is found only in the Knysna, Keurbooms and Swartvlei estuaries. Because of its limited distribution and the ongoing threat to its habitat, it is listed as endangered on the IDCN's Red List. It is an offence to catch them or disturb them in any way. The Knysna seahorse is about 7cm long, and occurs only in areas of dense eelgrass vegetation.

The Island is surrounded by a sea wall, built of stone and reinforced in places by wooden palings. The initial building of the sea wall was begun in 1929 and took three years to complete, using stone from the hillside above Woodboune. Because the shoreline is subject to continuous tidal and wind erosion and sedimentation, the sea defences have to be repaired and maintained on an ongoing basis. This is the responsibility of the Knysna Municipality.

The security hut at the entrance to Leisure Isle is manned on a 24-hour basis by trained and registered security guards in distinctive uniforms, who are on duty two at a time. They are equipped with bicycles, radio communication and a cell phone. These security guards patrol the island regularly throughout the day and night with sophisticated security timer batons. Their duties arc specifically to monitor, evaluate and report crimes or potential crimes and sustain security awareness.

Cameras are mounted at the entrance/exit to the Island to record all incoming and outgoing vehicles and pedestrians. The video material is logged on a sophisticated computer system that is the responsibility of a LIRA committee member.

The company currently contracted to provide the security service to Leisure Isle is Holistic Security. The contract is regularly reviewed by the Leisure Isle Residents Association (LIRA) committee, who also consider ways of enhancing security on a regular basis. All new measures and developments are communicated to LIRA members via the LIRA newsletter.

There is no reticulated sewerage provision on Leisure Isle, and all households have either septic tanks or conservancy tanks.  Contact the Municipal Cleansing department for pumping out tanks (302 6405)

The open stretch of land on the northern shores of Leisure Isle has long been recognised as an area of natural beauty and interest, and initiatives are currently underway to ensure that this area, encompassing Steenbok Nature Park (SNP) and Kingfisher Creek, remains a place of enjoyment for all including residents, visitors, fisher-people, dogs and their owners, bird-watchers, golfers, joggers and walkers.

A partnership agreement has been reached between the Knysna Town Council and Leisure Island Residents' Association (LIRA), in terms of which LIRA will coordinate the management and protection of this area. An Advisory forum of eminent environmentalists has been appointed to monitor this. The ultimate aim is that the area should fall under the jurisdiction of SANParks or Cape Nature, as a formally registered Nature Reserve.

Among the projects identified are the establishment of a network of interpretive footpaths linking Kingfisher Creek to the SNP, and a boardwalk running to the northwest of the bay; the removal of alien vegetation and the opening of the SNP sea wall in one or more places to allow the free tidal flow of salt water into the Park.

The main swimming spots on Leisure Isle are Bollard Bay (when the tide is sufficiently high), the Hippo Pool along Cearn Drive, the Green Hole on the east of the Island, and Land's End and Kingfisher Creek at the north-western tip.

Note that at present there are no Lifesaving facilities or life rings anywhere on Leisure Isle.