This comes after the Department of Environmental Affairs published its draft regulations for the rezoning of the MPA, which falls within the Garden Route National Park, for this purpose after more than 20 years of discussions with local anglers.
The fishermen have been campaigning for the rezoning following claims from communities that the MPA was declared more than 50 years ago without a public participation process. They say this stripped them of cultural, historical and recreational rights.
The pilot phase is believed to test the implementation of the draft regulations.
The move has, however, seen major opposition from marine experts who believe the action would have dire implications for the area, and yesterday their campaign was taken a step further. The Plettenberg Bay-based Orca Foundation, a volunteer community dedicated to marine conservation, started a petition to persuade authorities to rethink the proposal and base decision-making on science.
Foundation founder Tony Lubner said he had also written to minister Edna Molewa and urged her to reconsider, especially after research suggested allowing fishing in a protected area had a major impact on fish stocks. Lubner has sought legal advice as he believes environmental laws have been transgressed.
Garden Route National Park spokesman Nandi Mgwadlamba said it was all systems go for the pilot phase.
Source: Herald
For more than two decades, I-Net Bridge has been one of South Africa’s preferred electronic providers of innovative solutions, data of the highest calibre, reliable platforms and excellent supporting systems. Our products include workstations, web applications and data feeds packaged with in-depth news and powerful analytical tools empowering clients to make meaningful decisions.
We pride ourselves on our wide variety of in-house skills, encompassing multiple platforms and applications. These skills enable us to not only function as a first class facility, but also design, implement and support all our client needs at a level that confirms I-Net Bridge a leader in its field.
Go to: http://www.inet.co.za
