MyPE

Community Business Directory, Event Listings, News and Views from Gqeberha, Nelson Mandela Bay

No fish farm for Algoa Bay

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Dear MyPE

Fears that a fish farm may be established at Hobie Beach in Algoa Bay can be put to rest once and for all. In a reply to a speech I made last Friday (23 October) during Taking Legislature to the People in the Nelson Mandela Bay Metro, Economic Affairs, Environment and Tourism MEC Sakhumzi Somyo confirmed that there will be not fish farm for Algoa Bay.

The DA welcomes this confirmation, as we have, together with business and residents, vigorously opposed this project due to its location off PE’s Hobie Beach and the risk it held for the local tourism industry.

We also welcome the recent announcement by the Premier, Phumullo Masualle, that aquaculture is to be established in Zone 10 of the Coega IDZ. The DA believes that we must create economic growth and jobs, but this must be done in a responsible and fair manner to make this province a place of rising opportunity for all.

MEC Somyo conformed in his speech that he and the Metro, had requested Minister Molewa to make a concise decision and ban fish farming in that area. See transcript and translation. He stated that they had discussions with Minister Molewa and his department together with the metro and told her that no one can farm fish in close proximity to hotels.

Environmental Affairs Minister Edna Molewa recently set aside a decision to grant environmental authorisation to the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries for the proposed sea-based aquaculture zone in Algoa Bay.

Minister Molewa reverted the matter to the Deputy DG: Legal Authorities, Compliance and Enforcement of the Department of Environmental Affairs for reconsideration.

The onus was put on the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries to assess alternate sites to produce feasibility studies.

Regards

Ross Purdon

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Port Elizabethan

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