Area where the Aquaculture Development Zone will be set up. (Image: SAHRA)
Green light given to proposed aquaculture project in Saldanha Bay
SOUTH AFRICA
Saturday, June 23, 2018, 01:50 (GMT + 9)
The proposed sea-based Aquaculture Development Zone (ADZ) in Saldanha Bay, Western Cape Town, has been given the green light to enhance sustainable aquaculture expansion.
The project is supported by the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Senzeni Zokwana, who highlighted it will further contribute towards the performance of the aquaculture aspirations of Operation Phakisa: Oceans Economy programme in terms of job creation, increased primary production, increased GDP contribution and inclusive growth of the sector.
Aquaculture has been practised in Saldanha Bay since the 1980’s and is considered as one of the primary locations for the culture of key commercial cold water species such as oysters, mussels and salmon.
Previous studies indicate that one of the fundamental challenges in realising the potential of aquaculture in Saldanha Bay was the lack of an enabling regulatory environment. The Operation Phakisa: Oceans Economy programme provides the platform to create this environment through increasing access to land and water space as well as improving access to markets and funding.
To date, 15 of the 35 registered Operation Phakisa aquaculture projects are located in Saldanha Bay with the majority of these marine aquaculture projects being small medium micro enterprises (SMME’s) in the oyster and mussel subsector.
Minister Zokwana values the active participation of various Interested and Affected Parties (I&APs) in the area during the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) process.
In line with the environmental authorisation received, key mitigation and management measures will be undertaken to alleviate any risks identified. One such measure is the establishment of an Aquaculture Management Committee (AMC) comprised of relevant government departments to oversee the management, monitoring and compliance of the environmental authorisation.
In addition, to ensure transparency and accountability, the Consultative Forum (CF) will be established to create a platform for Interested and Affected Parties (I&APs) to engage with government departments and discuss environmental monitoring results.
As part of the project, at first, approximately 1800 hectares of sea-space was earmarked for aquaculture development in the bay. However, due to stakeholder inputs and other user needs, the initial area was reduced by over 50 per cent.
Interactions between users will be monitored continuously at the AMC and CF.
Other mitigation measures include the placement of buffer areas around sensitive parts which include Marine Protected Areas, reefs, wrecks and sensitive visual receptors.
In terms of increased aquaculture production, a precautionary and phased approach will be followed with regular monitoring. The extensive monitoring of the ADZ will be completed according to relevant international standards.
Aquaculture development can significantly contribute towards alleviating poverty, empowering local communities and enhancing food security.
According to the South African Government, it has the potential to increase investment into the area by over ZAR 400 million (USD 29.3 million) and the estimated direct revenue at full production could result to over ZAR 800 million (USD 58.6 million) per annum.
In addition, increased local production can meaningfully assist with the substitution of seafood imports and therefore realise social and economic impacts on a municipal, regional and national level.
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