The Minister of Water and Environmental Affairs, Edna Molewa, has invited public comments on the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Guideline for Aquaculture in South Africa. Aquaculture incorporates the breeding, trading or rearing of aquatic organisms in a controlled or selected aquatic environment for the purposes of recreation, commercial or subsistence.

The newfound support from government, the growing need for integrated use of resources and the socio-economic needs behind the diversification of food production has led to a rapid growth in the local aquaculture sector, according to Department spokesperson, Albi Modise in a statement released on 18 February 2012.

Published under section 24J of the National Environmental Management Act, 1998 (Act No. 107 of 1998), the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Guideline for Aquaculture in South Africa, appeared in Gazette No. 36145 of 11 February 2013. All comments and enquiries are to be directed to the office of the Department of Environmental Affairs Director-General, Mr S. Zondi, within 30 days from publication on 11 February 2013.

According to the statement by the Department, in 2009/2010, the Department of Environmental Affairs identified a gap in the sector in that several role players lacked adequate information on the environmental aspects of the aquaculture sector. “Consequently, the Department of Environmental Affairs developed this information and guideline document covering all aspects relating to the environment of the aquaculture sector to assist all stakeholders, environmental practitioners, academics, aquaculturalists and the general public.”

The guideline seeks to, amongst others, align the EIA process and environmental authorisations to the specific nature of aquaculture, identify and promote awareness of the potential positive and negative impacts associated with aquaculture and present measures of mitigation to the potential impacts of aquaculture. “Aquaculture does not take place in a vacuum and the guideline emphasises this and provides particulars around the authorisation requirements in aquaculture underpinned by various environmental legal frameworks including the Biodiversity Act, the Protected Areas Act and the Waste Act,” said Modise.

The guideline also highlights the scale of the potential impacts of aquaculture and the risks posed to the environment if aquaculture is not implemented along principles of sustainability. “Aquaculture has the potential to impact on water, biodiversity, ecosystems and wild fish stocks. As such, the need for integrated planning that is flexible and detailed in the sustainable operation of an aquaculture venture is stressed.

“The implementation of this guideline will assist with the creation of an environmentally responsible and more sustainable aquaculture industry. It is envisaged that the principles outlined in this guideline will result in the development of environmentally sustainable projects and ultimately an environmentally responsible aquaculture sector for South Africa.”