The proposed controversial Algoa Bay fish farm is back on the agenda, with the government now identifying four potential zones in Nelson Mandela Bay.
Round two of discussions on fish farming, also known as Aquaculture Development Zones, is back on the table after a recent document showed the state had identified four commercial fish farming sites.
Two of the zones, one off Hobie Beach and the other in the Addo Marine Protected Area, remain possibilities, while two others have also been identified.
The study into aquaculture sustainability comes after late environmental affairs minister Edna Molewa suspended the project after a public outcry which led to several appeals.
The new plan has seen three fish farm sites and a mussel or oyster farm identified.
In August 2016, she ordered a study on alternative sites and a more detailed report.
Molewa also asked for a comparison study between “Algoa 5” – 4.2km off the coast of the Sundays River Mouth in the Addo Marine Protected Area – and “Algoa 1” – about 2km offshore from Hobie Beach.
The department of agriculture, forestry and fisheries then appointed Cape Town consulting firm Anchor Environmental Research and Monitoring to do a basic assessment so the project can go ahead.
In late November, the firm released a six-page report, identifying two more sites.
In addition to Algoa 5 and Algoa 1, the state has earmarked Algoa 7, which is also in the Addo Marine Protected Area and just outside the Port of Ngqura, while Algoa 6 is outside the Port Elizabeth Harbour and intended for oyster or mussel farming.
Algoa 5 and 7 fall in the Addo Marine Protected Area – essentially a haven for indigenous fish species where they can breed – which raised questions previously about the purpose of having a protected area.
Algoa 6 is already used for oyster and mussel production.
“The Transnet National Port Authority has allocated 100ha sea space for aquaculture in this area and the [department of agriculture, forestry and fisheries] would like to declare this as one of the sites in the Bay,” the document states.
Insiders said two reports, each more than 100 pages, were to be made available for public comment – hopefully within the next three months.
This comes after the public participation process in December stalled due to environmental affairs not yet finalising the documents.
It is still unclear whether all the sites could become fish farms or if only one will be selected. The latest document, which The Herald has seen, states that the government would apply for at least one of the fish farm sites.
According to the report, discussions are already under way with government stakeholders such as Transnet regarding the shipping lanes and where the fish farms can be placed.
Avid diver and marine biologist Shirley Parker-Nance said the report was the beginning stage.
“This document shows it is again in the pipeline.
“We are waiting for more information which should be released during the public participation process.
“What we can tell from this report is that they have again identified four sites and, by the look of it, not much has changed.
“The same problems will still be there,” she said.
Since 2014, the government, through oceans economy project Operation Phakisa, has been trying to push through fish farming in the Bay, which led to an outcry from residents – mainly about the proposed Hobie Beach site.
Their concerns included that faeces and food waste from the densely packed fish cages would damage the reefs in the area and create an oily film on the surface.
This would attract sharks and negatively affect beach recreation, tourism and watersports, they argued.
Asked if the department could establish more than one fish farm in the Bay, ParkerNance said the state would be able to use all four sites – if it got permission.
“They cannot go ahead without the permissions and reports,” she said.
“We need to see the report to understand which are their preferred sites and take it from there.”
Parker-Nance urged residents to register with the consultants so the state could see the extent of interest as well as allowing stakeholders to be kept in the loop.
“It is vital for residents to get involved at this stage already,” she said.
In an e-mail sent to some 300 stakeholders in December, consultant project leader Vera Massie said the state would establish and manage the Aquaculture Development Zones.
“A sea-based zone usually consists of a selection of designated precincts which provide opportunities for existing aquaculture operations to expand and new ones to be established.”
Massie said the local community would benefit from the farms, which were intended to boost investor confidence by providing investment-ready platforms with approvals and policies already in place.
This would allow commercial operators to set up operations in the Bay without going through lengthy, complex and expensive approval processes.
The consultants have already compiled the draft preapplication basic assessment report and are awaiting word from the department.
The final report would be circulated to the public for comment, Massie said.
She referred further questions to the department.
The department’s aquaculture development director, Belemane Semoli, the ministry as well as its communications department could not be reached for comment.
Anyone who would like to register can e-mail info@anchorenvironmental.co.za to be added to its database.