Saving our environment
Gloria Greyvenstein, Mossel Bay:
I have recently been concerned about episodes of discolouration of our beautiful sea, which take place every now and again.
I enquired on our neighbourhood watch group as to the possible cause of this and was told it was waste being pumped from the fish factory into the harbour.
I am not sure if this is being done with municipal consent or not. I am, however, very concerned that such huge volumes of waste are wilfully being pumped into our sea, probably only about 500m from Santos Beach, one of our “blue flag” pristine beaches.
I call on the mayor of our town please to investigate and inform the citizens of Mossel Bay what the truth of the situation is. You, sir, owe us an explanation.
Mossel Bay Municipality responds:
The processing facilities at the harbour that discharge water into the sea are all licensed under the national legislation in terms of the National Environmental Management: Integrated Coastal Management Act: Coastal Waters Discharge permit regulations.
Biannual meetings are held with all these facilities and the relevant authorities regarding the compliance of the permits issued. The permit conditions are also monitored by an independent environmental practitioner appointed by the processing facilities.
The discharge seen in the photograph provided by the public is [acceptable] in terms of the Coastal Waters Discharge (CWD) Permit issued to these types of facilities.
This discharge (white murky water) is basically the potable/drinking water used to wash the fish coming into the processing facility.
It is not classified as polluted water (such as sewerage or raw pollutants).
This water needs to get tested by these facilities before being discharged. The testing parameters are set out in the CWD permits issued and reviewed by the regulatory/mandated authority, the National
Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE). The DFFE, under the Directorate: Oceans and Coasts, is currently investigating the compliance of all these facilities with regards to their discharges and the permits issued. Thus far, according to the outcome of the Coastal Waters Discharge forum, the permit holders have been in compliance, with one facility still awaiting its amended CWD permit.
The public is to note that the Mossel Bay Municipality is not the regulatory authority for the Coastal Waters Discharge permits issued to the processing facilities in the Mossel Bay Harbour.
All complaints regarding these facilities can be referred to the National DFFE, for attention: the Directorate: Oceans and Coasts: Fisheries / Fishing rights allocation process -related enquiries, 086 000 3474, CSCenquiries@dffe.gov.za. Here is a link to some information on the Act and the legislation mentioned above: www.dffe.gov. za/mediarelease/effluentcoastalwaters#:~:te xt=Under%20the%20ICM%20Act%2C%20 anyone,under%20the%20Water%20Use%20 Licenses.