The Department of Environmental Affairs has approved and issued an Environmental Authorisation to the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, for the establishment of the Algoa Bay Fish Farm.
The Department's confirmation letter is dated 28 February and was circulated to all stakeholders, including AlgoaFM News on Monday.
It states that all interested and affected parties were given the opportunity to respond and provide feedback on the proposed sea-based aquaculture development zone.
The confirmation letter adds, however, that an appeal to the decision taken by the Department of Environmental Affairs may be lodged in terms of the National Environmental Management Act within 20 working days, which is the 19th of March.
The two sites approved are a 28.4-hectare mussel and oyster farm approximately 2 kilometres offshore from Kings Beach and a 355-hectare finfish culture farm approximately 3 kilometres offshore of the Port of Ngqura.
Nelson Mandela Bay's first fish farming zone is expected to be operational by August next year.
Picture: Pixabay
