ALGOA BAY MANAGEMENT PLAN Vision Algoa Bay is a multi-use coastal zone that requires a proactive and practical management plan based on scientific integrity and stakeholder participation to ensure future sustainable development Prepared by: CLABBS Consortium c/o 36 River Road, Walmer, Port Elizabeth 6070 Tel: 041 581 2983 Fax: 041 581 2983 Email : [email protected] For: African Environmental Solutions P.O. Box 53577 Kenilworth 7745 The contributors cannot be held responsible for any damages whatsoever (including without limitation, damages for loss of trade or business profits, business interruption or any other pecuniary loss) arising out of the adoption of any scientific advice or recommended guidelines in this management plan DECEMBER 1999 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Algoa Bay is a multi-use coastal zone with a variety of interest groups. Threats to and impacts on the environment will therefore affect both the commercial and the recreational interests in the area. This report outlines the rationale towards, and the development of, a management plan for Algoa Bay, for the marine environment below the spring high-water mark between Cape Recife and Woody Cape. The Algoa Bay Management Plan is a holistic document, drawing on previous environmental studies and has aimed to consolidate the ideas of all interested and affected parties. The plan has built on some previous public participation during previous environmental studies and has included some further consultation with management authorities locally and nationally (Port Elizabeth Municipality, University of Port Elizabeth, Portnet, Coega IA, Bay World and MCM). The development of the plan has defined critical issues and concentrated on these. This required collating all existing information on Algoa Bay and outlining areas of concern. These concerns were identified as follows: Potential depletion of natural resources and loss of biodiversity, Potential destruction of marine fauna and flora and Discharge of liquid pollution in the Bay Activities related to these concerns were identified as follows: Increase in shipping activity Use of small recreational and commercial vessels Discharge of ballast waters Discharge of dredged spoil Discharge of polluted effluents into the bay from shore based activities Construction of infrastructure below the high-water mark This plan proposes that a greater Algoa Bay Management Authority be established to oversee and implement the recommendations and guidelines outlined in the ABMP. A summary of issues that need to be addressed by the Algoa Bay Management Authority, their recommended action(s), responsible authorities and a suitable time frame for their implementation are outlined below. No Issue Recommended Action Responsibility Timing 1a Initiate formal buy-in Circulation of ABMP manual to Coega IA Immediate process for ABMP authorities 1b Initiate formal buy-in Present Plan to the authorities Coega IA and Immediate process for ABMP Consultants 1c Initiate formal buy-in Open House – General public invited to Coega IA and Dates as process for ABMP participate in the plan Consultants for Coega process 2 Revision of ABMP Update plan on basis of feedback ABMA Ongoing 3 Implementation of ABMP Constitution of Algoa Bay Management Marine and Ongoing Authority Coastal Management (MCM) 4 Legalisation of ABMP Draft legislation to address the issues All authorities On-going identified through the ABMA 5a Small crafts Restriction of launching of small craft Portnet Short-term from Ngqura Harbour 5b Small crafts Development of 300 m powerboat PE Municipality Short-term exclusion zone from Bird Rock-Cape Recife (see map) 2 No Issue Recommended Action Responsibility Timing 5c Small crafts Development of a no take zone between PE Municipality Short-term PE Harbour-Bell Buoy-Cape Recife (see map) 5d Small crafts No bottom fishing within 1 nm of Bird Economic Affairs Short-term Islands Environment and Tourism/ MCM 6a Shipping lanes and No vessels may approach within 1 nm of MCM Short-term shipping exclusion zones Bird Islands 6b Shipping lanes and No additional navigation lights to be Economic Affairs Short-term shipping exclusion zones erected on Islands Environment and Tourism/ MCM 6c Shipping lanes and Maximum speed of ships within Algoa Portnet Short-term shipping exclusion zones Bay to be controlled by Portnet 7 Ballast water Commence with formulation of a MCM Medium National Strategy term 8 Dredged spoil Firm guidelines MCM Medium term 9a Marine seabird and Furnish MacArthurs baths with The ABMA needs Short-term mammal treatment centre necessary equipment for emergency to debate and rehabilitation make recommendations 9b Marine seabird and Investigate feasibility of the development The ABMA needs Long-term mammal treatment centre of a treatment/education centre at Cape to debate and Recife make recommendations 10a Routine bird rehabilitation Minimal upgrade of Bayworld Bayworld Short-term 10b Routine bird rehabilitation Increase trips to monitor seabirds on Bayworld Long-term islands 11 Rat control Continue with appropriate control Portnet Ongoing mechanisms 12 Water pollution Ensure adequate controls in place All authorities Ongoing 13a Pollution monitoring plan Routine mussel monitoring (see Figure MCM Ongoing 7.2) 13b Pollution monitoring plan Routine benthic community analysis (see MCM Ongoing map) 13c Pollution monitoring plan Pollution monitoring and compliance PE Municipality Short-term 14a Marine Protected Areas Amend legislation to restrict access to Nature Short-term and Marine Reserves Bird Islands to 1 nm Conservation / MCM 14b Marine Protected Areas Maintain existing legislation for access to Nature Short-term and Marine Reserves St Croix islands at ½ nm Conservation / MCM 14c Marine Protected Areas Development of 300 m powerboat Nature Short-term and Marine Reserves exclusion zone from Bird Rock-Cape Conservation / Recife (see map) MCM 14d Marine Protected Areas Development of a no take zone between Nature Short-term and Marine Reserves PE Harbour-Bell Buoy-Cape Recife (see Conservation / map) MCM 14e Marine Protected Areas Incorporation of area between Sunday Nature Long-term and Marine Reserves River Mouth and Cape Padrone into Conservation / Greater Addo National Park Initiative MCM 3 TABLE OF CONTENTS SECTION 1. INTRODUCTION TO THE ALGOA BAY MANAGEMENT PLAN...................6 1.1. BACKGROUND ...........................................................................................................................6 1.2. PURPOSE OF THE PLAN ...............................................................................................................7 1.3. BROAD AIMS OF THE PAN ...........................................................................................................7 1.4. FOCUS ON CRITICAL ISSUES .......................................................................................................7 SECTION 2. MANAGEMENT RECOMMENDATIONS AND GUIDELINES .........................8 2.1. REDUCTION OF IMPACTS BY SHIPPING .......................................................................................8 2.1.1. Background.......................................................................................................................8 2.1.2. Island issues......................................................................................................................8 2.1.3. Whale and dolphin issues .................................................................................................8 2.1.4. Guidelines.........................................................................................................................8 2.2. REDUCTION OF IMPACTS BY SMALL CRAFTS ..............................................................................9 2.2.1. Background.......................................................................................................................9 2.2.2. Fishing craft issues...........................................................................................................9 2.2.3. Other recreational craft issues .......................................................................................10 2.2.4. Guidelines.......................................................................................................................10 2.3. BALLAST WATER .....................................................................................................................10 2.3.1. Background.....................................................................................................................10 2.3.2. Current issues.................................................................................................................10 International Situation ................................................................................................................................10 South African Situation ..............................................................................................................................11 Ballast water management..........................................................................................................................11 Draft Guidelines based on the AQUIS Strategy..........................................................................................12 Procedures for ships....................................................................................................................................12 Precautionary approach...............................................................................................................................12