Environmental issue/project:
The Draft Aquaculture Development Bill.
Date: 19 April 2024
Name of person reporting: Peter Arderne
Email address: mwardern@mweb.co.za
Phone: 0834577478
Description of issue:
Both FOSAF and the Northern Trout Association oppose this Bill in its current form. They argue that as fish farming is merely a branch of agriculture all that is required is an amendment to the legislation governing agriculture. Moreover, they believe that there is little about development in this proposed legislation and that this is an attempt by government to increase its control of first aquaculture and thus control of agriculture in general. The costs will have to be borne by the industry with few or no benefits to aquaculture. It is also concerning that it appears that all flyfishing destinations who stock trout regularly will also have to register and be licenced.
Review of Issue
Date: 19 April 2024
FOSAF and in Mpumalanga the Northern Trout Association (NTA) have attended public participation meetings organized by the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and Environment (DFFE) who are driving this draft Bill. In addition both FOSAF and the NTA have held several meetings with the DFFE, the last being in January 2024, and submitted detailed comments on the proposed Bill but as yet no satisfactory response has been received from the DFFE.
