National
Why PE residents really don't want a fish farm─── 08:46 Tue, 27 Jan 2015
Port Elizabeth - The Minister of Environmental Affairs says all legal bases had been covered with respect to the public participation process on the proposed Algoa Bay fish farm.
The response from the Minister, Edna Molewa, was read out at a tense public meeting in the Port Elizabeth city hall today where Department officials met with people and organisations that have strongly objected to the siting of the fish farm off the city's main beachfront.
More than 123 written objections had been received.
The objectors say they are still awaiting the written response from the Minister to which they will also then respond and include adding any additional information supporting their objections.
Meanwhile, the Airports Company South Africa (Acsa) said it had not been made aware of the public participation process on the proposed fish farm.
Representatives told the meeting that they're concerned about the risks of bird strikes as planes approach and land at the city's airport.
Acsa says it has contracted a specialist to conduct a study into this.
Marine biologist Shirley Parker Nance says the siting of the fish farm will have a devastating effect on the marine ecology of the Algoa Bay.
Mandlakazi Skefile of Nelson Mandela Bay Tourism says the economic impact of the tourism industry in Nelson Mandela Bay in 2013 was estimated to be in excess of 13-billion rand.
Mandlakazi Skefile of Nelson Mandela Bay Tourism says the economic impact of the tourism industry in Nelson Mandela Bay in 2013 was estimated to be in excess of 13-billion rand.
She says this will be negatively affected by the impact that the fish farm will have on the tourism sector.
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