Pretoria - The application by the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries for the development of a fish farm in Port Elizabeth, in the Eastern Cape, has been referred back to the Department of Environmental Affairs for consideration.
The Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries has undertaken to conduct a detailed analysis of the projected revenue and employment opportunities likely to be created by the Sea Based Aquaculture Development Zone, measured against the perceived loss in revenue and employment opportunities as a result of the proposed project at the Algoa 1 site in the coastal city.
The department submitted an application for the development of a Sea Based Aquaculture Development Zone for the farming of Fin Fish in Algoa Bay, Port Elizabeth, in February 2011, following which an Environmental Authorisation was granted on 9 July 2014.
A total of 134 notices of intention to appeal in terms of Section 43 (1) of the National Environmental Management Act were thereafter submitted to the Minister of Environmental Affairs.
A total of 28 substantive appeals were then lodged by the appellants between 1 September 2014 and 30 October 2014 against the Environmental Authorisation granted to the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries.
An online petition against the proposed development at its approved location was also set up, which generated in excess of 17 000 signatures.
The Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries has undertaken to conduct a comparative assessment of the present and alternate sites and to use the opportunity to further explore the feasibility of the area known as Algoa 5 as the preferred location for the project.
The department will resubmit an application for Environmental Authorisation to the Department of Environmental Affairs. – SAnews.gov.za
