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DA opposes Algoa Bay Fish Farm

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Dear MyPE

The Democratic Alliance (DA) is strongly opposed to the proposed site of the Algoa Bay Fish Farm project, taking into account the uncommunicated nature of the project as well as the potential financial impact.

Following the recent meeting to engage the public on the contentious issue of the Algoa Bay Fish Farm, it has become clear that the process to date has not included sufficient public participation at any level.

The metro faces potential tourism Rand losses of around R13 billion, but the main role players, viz Tourism and Business, were kept in the dark and were uninformed as to the nature of the project.

The DA’s position is that the fragile metro economy cannot afford the potential loss of tourism, nor can it be subjected to a hugely intrusive development on our beachfront which has the potential to severely damage the ecology of Algoa Bay.

We are supportive of the idea of aquaculture within the metro and have indicated that we would support such an initiative at a more appropriate site. The Ngqura CDC would be an ideal site and has already identified a suitable area within the development zone for such activities. There are also immediate benefits for this site in that land based aquaculture is not only proven to be more cost effective, it also creates more jobs.

The long term effects on the metro’s economy have not been quantified sufficiently, and currently the negative impact would seem to outweigh any positives regarding the future of the proposed fish farm.

The entire process of public participation must be redone to afford all affected and interested parties the opportunity to participate.  The DA insists that the proposed fish farm project be open to scrutiny, and that the metro and residents be fully involved in all aspects.

The DA have already engaged with the relevant National as well as Local Government Departments, and will ensure that Business, Tourism and the public will be involved in the process.

Regards

Cllr Chris Roberts

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Port Elizabethan

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