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A Fish Farm by any other name

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The letter below is one being circulated to all interested parties for comment and registration as interested or affected stakeholders:

Dear Stakeholder,

APPLICATION IN TERMS OF THE NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT ACT, 1998 (ACT NO. 107 OF 1998) ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT REGULATIONS, 2014 (AS AMENDED) FOR ENVIRONMENTAL AUTHORISATION THROUGH A BASIC ASSESSMENT PROCESS: PROPOSED SEA-BASED AQUACULTURE DEVELOPMENT ZONE IN ALGOA BAY, EASTERN CAPE

The Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF), as the lead agent for aquaculture management and development, intends to establish and manage a sea-based Aquaculture Development Zone (ADZ) in Algoa Bay located in the Eastern Cape. A sea-based ADZ usually consists of a selection of designated precincts, which provide opportunities for existing aquaculture operations to expand and new ones to be established. ADZs provide economic benefits to the local community through job creation and regional economic diversification. ADZs are intended to boost investor confidence by providing ‘investment ready’ platforms with strategic environmental approvals and management policies already in place, allowing commercial aquaculture operations to be set up without the need for lengthy, complex and expensive approval processes. It is anticipated that an ADZ will create incentives for industry growth, provide marine aquaculture services and enhance consumer confidence. A The Background Information Document (BID) for this project has been attached in this email.

The proposed ADZ triggers a number of Listed Activities in the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Regulations, 2014 (as amended by Government Notice No. 40772 of 7 April 2017), promulgated in terms of the National Environmental Management Act (Act No. 107 of 1998) (NEMA). DAFF is therefore required to apply for Environmental Authorisation to the National Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA). DAFF appointed Anchor Research & Monitoring (Pty) Ltd (Anchor) as the Environmental Assessment Practitioner (EAP) to undertake the Basic Assessment (BA) process.

A Basic Assessment process must be undertaken in compliance with Government Notice (GN) R. 326 of 2017 (2014 Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Regulations as amended) and with the guideline documents for EIA processes and stakeholder consultation, as produced by the DEA.

To date, Anchor has compiled the Draft Pre-application Basic Assessment Report (BAR), which will be presented to the DEA in a pre-application meeting early next year. Recommendations tabled at the meeting will be incorporated into the Final Pre-application BAR and will be circulated to the public for comment. As a registered stakeholder, you will be notified of the stakeholder consultation process periods, including the venue, date and time for the open day that will be held in Port Elizabeth as part of the consultation process.

Please do not hesitate to contact me should you have any questions with regards to the proposed project or stakeholder consultation process.

Kind regards,

Vera Massie

Anchor Environmental Consultants (Pty) Ltd

8 Steenberg House
Silverwood Close, Tokai, 7975

Phone: +27 21 701 3420
Fax: +27 21 701 5280
Email: info@anchorenvironmental.co.za
Website: https://anchorenvironmental.co.za

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Alan Straton

Chief Cook, Bottle Washer and Broom Mechanic at MyPE
Passionate about Port Elizabeth and definitely NOT packing for Perth. Alan's ethos is epitomised in the words of Nelson Mandela; "I have fought against white domination and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the idea of a democratic and free society. If need be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die." See more articles by Alan.