Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality has been given a month to come up with a formal position on the proposed Algoa Bay Fish Farm proposal.
That's according to the Director of Appeals in the Department of Environmental Affairs, Ziyaad Hassam.
He was in Nelson Mandela Bay on Wednesday for a final consultation with stakeholders who have lodged objections to a proposal to site a fish farm in Algoa Bay.
Hassam told Algoa FM News that he met with the Acting Mayor and Municipal Manager today [Wednesday] and it was agreed that the Metro be given a month to formalise its support for or opposition to the fish farm proposal.
"I think it is a little bit more than waiting for the Municipality's final decision. The appeals process started late last year. As part of the appeals process, in the traditional sense, you would have grounds of appeal, you would have responding statement, you would have answering statements and thereafter the Minister would make a decision."
"This appeal, particularly because of the nature of the appeal, the nature of the proposed project and the nature of the public sentiment, has gone on a lot longer than a normal appeal process would. So, after we had the meeting in January we made a submission to the Minister that the Appeal process be lengthened so as to get additional, independent studies, which is what we are trying to do in terms of the resource economist."
"And, as part of that lengthening of the Appeals process we undertook to hold further engagements with the Municipality, with the tourism sector as well as with Acsa as key role players who weren't sufficiently consulted in the initial process. As part of the we've concluded our consultations with Acsa and after today [Wednesday] we feel that we've now concluded our consultation with the tourism sector." said Hassam.
"What we need now is a firm statement from the Municipality in terms of their views on the project. We met with them this morning and we've given them a month from today to come back to us in writing what their views are on the project and that will be almost the last piece of the puzzle we need to present to the Minister before she applies her mind to a decision."
Hassam said that he thinks the Metro feels it does not have enough information to make a decision at this stage.
"I think they feel that they don't have enough information to make a decision at this stage. They should have had and they should have been involved in this process and I think at some level they were. But, I think from their perspective they feel that the information or the decision-making at the initial stage was taken at an official level and not at a political or at a Council level. And, so I think what they now feel is that they the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, who is the applicant in this matter to make presentations to them. As part of that it would not be a bad idea for the tourism sector to ask for a hearing with the Municipality to put their side of the coin as well."
"And, I think they feel slightly uncomfortable at this stage to give us that commitment as to their standpoint on the appeal without consulting as widely as they can. I think it is probably a wise approach that they're taking. They could easily have been backed into a corner and said if we're forced to make a decision today we'll tell you Yes or No. But, they've gone back and welcomed the opportunity to take that month and to do their own consultation because in a project that's happening in a Metropolitan Municipality the Minister is likely to take those views, or the view of that Municipality fairly seriously. So, they've been given the opportunity and once we get those views we'll take than on board." said Hassam.
Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality's City Manager, Mpilo Mbambisa, confirmed that the Municipality still awaited the proposal on the Fish Farm from the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries before it could pronounce the municipality's stance.
"We have noted the keen public and stakeholder interest in this matter, it is therefore important for us that we comprehensively study the fish farm proposal from DAFF, and all its elements and factors, before making a determination as to whether we support the investment or not, in its current form," said Mbambisa.
"To this end, I have requested representation from DAFF, who will hopefully be able to present their proposal to a full sitting of the Executive Mayoral Committee, where my management team will also be present, so that we may be able to interact with the merits and demerits of the proposal."
"Once this happens and proper objective assessments are made of all factors including, but not limited to, local economic development, tourism, aquaculture, and relevant case studies, our Municipality will then provide our input and analysis to DAFF as well as the DEA."
Mbambisa said that his office had been interacting with the DEA on the Appeals Process.
"We are interacting with the DEA on this matter, the understanding is that we, as the Municipality, should take about a month in which to receive, engage with and study the DAFF proposal, before submitting our institutional opinion." said Mbambisa.
However, at the launch of the 2015 Ironman competition in February, ANC Councillor Marion Harning, read out a message from Nelson Mandela Bay Executive Mayor, Benson Fihla, in which he explicitly states the Metro's opposition to the venue of the proposed fish farm.
"The fact is that Hobie beach and Pollock beach are our absolute jewels in our Port Elizabeth crown. The fear is from many of the residents and many of the sporting groups such as Ironman that use this facility, that the water may become contaminated, that sharks may be encouraged to be there and with our very strong winds the fish farm will not be secure." said Harning.
Executive Mayor Benson Fihla stated in the speech, that the municipality wanted to protect its blue flag beach and the recreational events that take place throughout the year.
"I would like to assure you that the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality is fighting the proposed implementation of a fish farm in the vicinity of Hobie Beach with all our abilities," he said.
"Although we fully support national government's efforts to create jobs with this development, we are strongly opposed to having this facility close to a recreational beach. We have worked hard over the years to attract visitors to our beaches and we would like to see many more people enjoy our excellent beachfront."
Fihla added that the Metro could not put the lives of its residents and visitors at risk by possibly encouraging greater shark activity so close to the Blue Flag beach of Hobie Beach.
He also acknowledged the very real pollution risk that the proposed fish farm would hold.
"When we formally opposed the initiative by the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries last year, we suggested alternative sites.We cannot risk job losses as a result of major events leaving our city. In fact, we should encourage job creation on all fronts in our efforts to achieve the ideal of a better life for all. Ironman South Africa must be in Nelson Mandela Bay to stay. We want the event, with its elevated Continental status in Nelson Mandela Bay, and we are proud to be the host city."
