Don’t mussel in on training zone, military warns
THE military has warned of an undersea menace posing mortal danger to special forces who train in the ocean near Saldanha Bay.
They’re called mussels and oysters, and they could lay siege to a sensitive military site at the entrance to Langebaan lagoon if a proposed aquaculture project goes ahead.
The military has launched the defence of its “Donkergat” facility, in the form of a written objection to a proposed 2 000ha aquaculture development zone, which overlaps a large sea area used for special forces training.
The zone also threatens sailing and boat routes, including those used by the nearby Club Mykonos resort and an internationally acclaimed sailing academy.
The military objection details how aquaculture infrastructure such as ropes and buoys might affect crucial military training activities including swimming, diving and the air delivery of boats and personnel.
“The fish cages and long lines will pose obstructions that may lead to the damaging of equipment and endangering the lives of special force operators,” says the objection.
Equally troubling was the potential impact on the navy’s submarines, frigates and other vessels that traverse the demarcated area during training exercises, the document says.
In addition, occasional explosions would have a negative impact on the proposed fish farms.
According to the project summary, prepared by SRK Consulting on behalf of the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, it would build on existing aquaculture activity in the Saldanha area.
“Saldanha Bay is a highly productive marine environment and has an established aquaculture industry, with potential for growth,” the document says.
“Some 430ha of the bay are currently leased for aquaculture production. Of these, 152ha are actively farmed for mussels and oysters (and some fish), mostly in Small Bay. [The department] has determined that the carrying capacity in 2 980ha of the bay can support bivalve production of up to 140 000 tons live weight.”
However, several stakeholders have raised objections to the proposed project layout, which would jut into one of the country’s busiest watersports areas.
Sailing South Africa this week confirmed it had lodged an objection. An objection by the Marine Industry Association of South Africa said sail and powerboat training in the area had an annual turnover of around R24-million. Several well-known events might also be jeopardised, including regattas.
South African Sailing chairwoman Bev le Sueur said the waters needed to be shared effectively “to the benefit of all parties”. While her organisation supported the job-creation initiative, “it is a concern that if . . . not clearly defined, this project may destroy the existing substantial economic benefits derived from a well established and growing sailing industry”.
Department spokesman Palesa Mokomele said: “All issues and concerns will be compiled in a form of a report and the final environmental impact assessment recommendation will then include management, mitigation and amendments to the issues highlighted.”