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90 000 COPIES WEEKLY WEDNESDAY January 28, 2015 |0 041 503 6111 | Email express@media24.com | www.peexpress.co.za | PE
Express Newspaper |
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EDITOR: BETTIE GILIOMEE
Airport joins fish farm saga
LIZEKA TANDWA
C
ONCERNS over the impact of the controversial proposed fish farm on the approach and take-off of airplanes from the Port Elizabeth airport were aired on Monday.
This was during a public hearing for stakeholders by the Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA) which was held to discuss the issue of the location of Algoa Bay Sea Based Aquaculture Development Zone (fish farm) right on the doorstep of Nelson Mandela Bay’s prime tourist beaches. Over 70 stakeholders, including the Airports Company of SA (ACSA) attended the hearing. Many stakeholders who are objecting to the development took the floor to address their concerns of the impending fish farm. Shirley Parker-Nance a marine biologist from Pro-Dive who is heading the “Stop PE Fish Farm” campaign said the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF) together with DEA agreed to send the Responses to the Appeals to the relevant stakeholders by Wednesday, January 28. The stakeholders would then be able to respond within 30 days with objections. Parker-Nance said the location and impact was questioned by the different environmentalists and stakeholders involved and DAFF and DEA made a commitment to consider their input. Parker-Nance said this is a very positive step by the DEA appeals committee and it was welcomed. “The EIA clearly states that this was not the right location for the fish farm and they need to be accountable for that. This clearly will have a negative impact on many of the city’s businesses. Airports Company South Africa (ACSA) also coming into the play supporting the petition will certainly help us in our campaign.” According to Parker-Nance, ACSA have recently joined the stakeholders from the Nelson
Mandela Bay objecting to the DEA authorised project. They are concerned about the increase in the number of birds the development will attract near the Port Elizabeth Airports landing strip. At time of PE Express going to print on Monday, representatives of ACSA and the DEA were in discussions over the issue.
According to the EIA for the Algoa Bay Sea Based Aquaculture Development Zone, by the Aquaculture Animal Health and Environmental Interactions within the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF), four sites were considered for the project with three sites in Algoa Bay and one site in St Francis Bay. Of the three sites in Algoa Bay, the site that
ranked most favourably from an industry perspective (Algoa 1, due to its proximity to PE Harbour), scored poorly in respect of potential conflicts with other users mainly the commercial squid fishing and shipping. DAFF said the Algoa 2 and 3 have been considered less favourable from an industry perspective but potential for conflict with other users is much lower.
Breakfast Initiative feeds hungry minds With one in five South African children going to school hungry, the Depart ment of Basic Education is now working with local food manufacturer, Kel logg’s, on the Kellogg’s Breakfast for Better Days™ Initiative to ensure learners don’t start the school day hungry. Read more about the project on page 8. Pictured are Nathalie April (9) and Deha Rademeyer (9) who enjoyed the breakfast served at Helenvale Primary School. PHOTO: THEO JEPTHA
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