Bay’s economy at stake
MUCH has been said, written and discussed about the proposed fish farm on the beachfront.
The DA is in principle not opposed to a fish farm, but has severe reservations about the proposed position off Hobie Beach.
Having had sight of the environmental impact assessment (EIA), it is clear that the proposed positioning of the fish farm is far from ideal, and in fact gives rise to many reservations.
The EIA prepared for the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries identified three sites in Algoa Bay, with the focus shifted to a site identified as Algoa 1 and an alternative site, Algoa 5. The study found that to be commercially viable, 3 000 tons of fish per annum would need to be produced.
This would require approximately 35 cages. Deeply concerning is the stated size of the sea floor footprint, which is calculated to be optimal at 20-50ha, a massive area.
The EIA foresees two to three farms in the same locality, which would triple the sea floor footprint.
Of concern is the fact that the study highlights the damage of pollution of coastal waters, escape of genetically distinct fish that would interbreed, chemical pollution of marine food chains due to therapeutic chemicals and antifouling treatment of infrastructure.
The study also mentions the foreseen entanglement of sharks, mammals and birds in nets and ropes.
It is also stated that for security reasons, user conflict may arise.
The EIA lists five pages of adverse impact on the Bay should mitigation protocols not be followed meticulously. Both mooted options for the locations of the fish farms are situated within 4km from our popular beach areas, as well as the Port Elizabeth Harbour.
Also stated in the EIA is that the proposed farms will have a negative impact on beach and offshore tourism activities.
The future of marine protected areas (MPAs) will also be impacted.
A number of fish farms could also have a significant impact on ship movements in the Bay.
After attending the well-supported meeting of affected and interested parties, it is also very clear that the detrimental impact on the metro far outweighs the narrow band of financial gain which will be generated by the fish farm.
The metro will definitely lose the Ironman competition and the R56-million injection it brings to the local economy. All other water sport activities will inevitably follow the same route, with the subsequent loss in generated income.
We are led to believe that the metro has still not given a final (decisive) decision to the relevant department. After consulting with the executive director of the Economic Development, Tourism and Agriculture, a different scenario emerged.
The metro has never been appraised of the details of the development and found itself in the position of being under pressure to give a decision on something it is uninformed on.
To his credit, the executive director, Anele Qaba, has engaged with the NMMU to, within 30 days, present a survey and paper on the impact of the fish farm to the municipality, after which the metro will decide on the issue.
Although the executive mayor has already pronounced a negative response from the executive, one trusts that the formal study from NMMU will add impetus to the final decision from the metro to not agree to the fish farm in its proposed locality.
Of further major concern is that, to date, no information regarding the proposer, finances or indeed origin of the intended fish farm operation has been divulged.
While one can to a certain extent understand the need for confidentiality on the part of investors, the greater need exists for the metro residents to know who is involved.
The metro and the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries need to be very aware of the overwhelming negative impact of fish farms in a relatively shallow Bay characterised by slow moving currents. In short, what enters the Bay stays in the Bay.
It will be a reckless decision to allow fish farms near our tourist beaches. More suitable locations are available, and those must be utilised – our fragile economy in the metro is at stake.