Environmental Affairs Minister Edna Molewa turned down the plans for the fish farm which would be located 2km off the Summerstrand beach after more than 17,000 people signed a petition.
Several of those who had lodged appeals said they were not opposed to fish farming, but were opposed to a fish farm in the current location.
This announcement comes a year on from the Department of Environmental Affairs giving the proposed fish farm the go-ahead in spite of strong opposition from the public, academics and tourism officials, reports CapeTimes.
Key issues among those who appealed were the inadequacy of public consultation prior to Environmental Affairs’ granting permission for the fish farm to go ahead; that the department did not have sufficient information on which to base its decision; the negative effects a fish farm would have on tourism, the tourism economy, international sporting events, water quality, local fishing and on the seascape.
“During the appeal process, it became evident that the appellants were not opposed to aquaculture development in the provinces, but that they opposed the development at its present location, which is approximately 2km offshore from the popular tourist beach area in Port Elizabeth,” Ms Molewa said.
“Parties consulted had requested that the applicant consider an alternative site for the proposed project.”
DAFF had originally proposed five different sites in which to build the fish farm. Molewa ruled that DAFF must undertake a detailed assessment of the feasibility of a different location for the fish farm in Algoa Bay.
