Tourism body lashes out at 'disastrous' Hobie fish farm

NELSON Mandela Bay Tourism has lashed out at the proposed Hobie Beach fish farm, saying it could have disastrous effects on the Bay's tourism industry.

The 6km-wide farm, earmarked to be anchored 2.5km off the popular beach, could see losses running into millions as a result of the cancellation of major water sports events, the organisation said.

Ironman SA has already said that should the project push ahead it would be forced to seek an alternative city to host the event.

The massive fish farm is the first government-sanctioned project of its kind in South Africa, with testing grounds marked for Algoa Bay.

Nelson Mandela Bay Tourism chief executive Mandlakazi Skefile said yesterday that if the fish farm was placed at an alternative location, both the project and the tourism industry could co-exist in the destination, creating greater opportunities and income.

She warned, however, that the impact on the tourism sector would have negative repercussions on the Bay's economy as well as the environment should it go ahead at Hobie Beach.

"After extensive consultations and research, Nelson Mandela Bay Tourism has found reason to be concerned with the proposed location of the Algoa Bay Sea-Based Aquaculture Development Zone," Skefile said.

"While all concerned understand the need for the fish farm with regards to job creation, aquaculture projects as well as diminishing resources, the concern remains that the current location will have an immediate and potentially disastrous negative effect on the tourism sector."

Skefile said water safety and quality, the loss of recreational water users and water sports events, whale and dolphin watching activities, an increase in sharks and predator species and, indirectly, the loss of the Blue Flag status of internationally renowned beaches were some of the impacts that would be seen.

"Nelson Mandela Bay Tourism feels that the project would be much more sustainable in an alternative location."

The Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries has not said when the project is likely to start or who the investors who haveshown interest are.

The project is set to be rolled out over five years and will see more than 315 boom-type structures, each with a 30m diameter and15m-long nets. - Gareth Wilson