Gales show fish farm folly

THE gale force winds that hit Algoa Bay recently are a very timely reminder of how fickle and dangerous our weather has been lately. Gale force winds caused the loss of 23 shipping containers off the massive container ship, Seroya Lima.

Conditions at sea such as we saw recently would have led to the total destruction of the proposed fish farm and the consequent environmental disaster following such an event. If this had to happen on the eve of the December holidays the loss to the metro of tourism rands would have been catastrophic.

Serious note must be taken of the effects of storms on our coastline and the unsuitability of a fish farm so close to our pristine beaches. No small boat would have been able to venture out to sea to effect repairs and prevent the destruction of a fish farm so close to shore under the conditions experienced over the weekend.

The concept of a fish farm in Algoa Bay must be revisited. Our fragile economy cannot be jeopardised through unwise decision-making.

Chris Roberts, DA councillor and spokesman: : economic development, tourism and agriculture, Port Elizabeth