Below is an article from "The Herald"
"IRVIN & Johnson has denied allegations by Mossel Bay Tourism that the company is going ahead with plans to establish a massive fish farm in the bay without consulting the residents.
I&J managing director François Kuttel said this week that a well-advertised information-sharing meeting had been held in Mossel Bay to discuss the project and that consultants CCA Environmental had engaged specialists to address concerns raised.
“Throughout the process, a comprehensive list of interested and affected parties has been maintained and all information shared with them,†he said.
I&J is the largest supplier of fresh fish to the South African market.
Mossel Bay Tourism chairman Louis Cook said earlier this week: “The community and its institutions were not given a proper opportunity to provide their input.â€
The fish farm will span 200ha of the bay some 2,5km off the Little Brak River mouth. Each floating cage will have a 70m circumference and be 15m deep, spaced apart from each other.
Interested parties still have until October 21 to comment on the final assessment report, which was issued in September. The report and comments will be assessed by the department of environmental affairs and tourism for a decision.
The report, which can be viewed at www.ccaenvironmental.co.za and at a number of public libraries in Mossel Bay and surrounds, finds the fish farm will generally have a “low†impact on tourism and the environment.
Kuttel said it was unlikely the farm would “lead to the exclusion of whales, sharks or birds from the bay†and could promote tourism.
CCA consultant Jeremy Blood said notice had been given for interested parties to register."
"IRVIN & Johnson has denied allegations by Mossel Bay Tourism that the company is going ahead with plans to establish a massive fish farm in the bay without consulting the residents.
I&J managing director François Kuttel said this week that a well-advertised information-sharing meeting had been held in Mossel Bay to discuss the project and that consultants CCA Environmental had engaged specialists to address concerns raised.
“Throughout the process, a comprehensive list of interested and affected parties has been maintained and all information shared with them,†he said.
I&J is the largest supplier of fresh fish to the South African market.
Mossel Bay Tourism chairman Louis Cook said earlier this week: “The community and its institutions were not given a proper opportunity to provide their input.â€
The fish farm will span 200ha of the bay some 2,5km off the Little Brak River mouth. Each floating cage will have a 70m circumference and be 15m deep, spaced apart from each other.
Interested parties still have until October 21 to comment on the final assessment report, which was issued in September. The report and comments will be assessed by the department of environmental affairs and tourism for a decision.
The report, which can be viewed at www.ccaenvironmental.co.za and at a number of public libraries in Mossel Bay and surrounds, finds the fish farm will generally have a “low†impact on tourism and the environment.
Kuttel said it was unlikely the farm would “lead to the exclusion of whales, sharks or birds from the bay†and could promote tourism.
CCA consultant Jeremy Blood said notice had been given for interested parties to register."