Dear Betty’s Bay Community
Thank you for your unwavering support and active participation as members of the Betty’s Bay Ratepayers Association. Your dedication and commitment to our community are truly remarkable and inspire us to continue working towards the betterment of our beautiful town.
Thanks to your invaluable contributions, we have been able to achieve significant milestones and address the needs and concerns of our residents. Your involvement in our initiatives, from community clean-ups to advocacy efforts, has made a profound impact on preserving the unique charm and natural beauty of Betty’s Bay.
We are incredibly fortunate to have such a passionate and engaged community. Your support not only strengthens our collective voice but also fosters a sense of unity and collaboration that is essential for our continued success.
As we move forward, we remain committed to representing your interests and working diligently to enhance the quality of life in Betty’s Bay. Together, we can achieve even greater things and ensure a vibrant and thriving future for our beloved village.
Thank you once again for your steadfast support and dedication. We look forward to your continued involvement and contributions to our association.
MEET THE BBRA COMMITTEE FOR 2025
Executive Committee
- Wayne Jackson (Chairman & Membership) Stony Point
- Amund Beneke (Vice Chair & Engineering) Sunny Seas
- Hannelie Coetzee (Treasurer) Stony Point
- 4. Julia Frylinck (Secretary) Stony Point
Essential Services
- Rob Boyd (BEST) Central
- Jorika Rabie (Fire and Rescue) Stony Point
- Francois Lesch (Neighbourhood Watch) Rondevlei
- Elsa Stofberg (Conservation) Stony Point
Community Services
- Abigail Davids (Community development) Central
- Shameez Joubert (Markets) Rondevlei
- Claudele Jackson (Crassula Hall) Stony Point
Communications
- Vivienne Von Der Heyden (Newsletter Editor) Jock’s Bay
- Wendy Lucas (Website custodian) Silversands
- Tersia Starke (Website assistant) Bass Lake
Oversight
- Andre Kotze (Rondevlei Rep) Rondevlei
- Calan Bennett (Central Rep) Central
Summary of meeting with Overstrand Municipality (OM) regarding Water Issues
The Betty’s Bay Ratepayers Association (BBRA) met with the OM regarding the water pipe replacement and other water-related matters. The OM was represented by:
Stephen Müller, Chief Engineer, Infrastructure Services
Hanré Blignaut, Principal Engineer, Civil Engineering Planning
Theo Steenberg, Principal Engineer, Civil Engineering Services
Patrick Robinson, Water Infrastructure and Quality
The BBRA was represented by Amund Beneke and me. We were also joined by councillors from Wards 9 and 10, the PBRA, Kleinmond administration Senior Operations Manager Denovan Van Rhodie, and Rickie Thoreson, who oversees all water-related matters in our village.
Our discussion covered numerous topics, with a particular emphasis on our purification plan, reticulation system, and various processes, including new connections. We have successfully reduced our water loss from 75% to 36%, primarily due to pipe replacement with fewer breakages. Currently, we are involved in a pipe replacement project, with approximately 50% of the Betty’s Bay pipe system replaced. The prioritization of pipe replacements is guided by a needs assessment process, which helps determine justification and funding. This project operates on a two-year cycle and requires approximately R30 million; however, our budget allocates around R20 million. This current project will extend into next year, with a new tender expected to be issued in June.
This endeavour is part of a continually updated master plan that adapts to current demand and future projections. I would like to note that if a developer intends to develop a large parcel of land with multiple units and the existing infrastructure is insufficient, the developer is responsible for the associated upgrade costs, including sewage and waste management.
Our water pipeline infrastructure is aging, largely consisting of 50 mm pipes, while the new pipeline system will utilize 110 mm pipes, thereby enhancing overall capacity. All our collective concerns are well-understood by our Engineers and Planners, who have implemented excellent automated monitoring systems, with plans to incorporate artificial intelligence to enhance analytical processes.
It is important to recognize that Betty’s Bay is experiencing significant growth, with average water usage increasing by approximately 3% to around 8%, excluding spikes during holiday periods and from unregistered rental accommodations. Our water purification plant is also scheduled for an upgrade soon. The three villages (Rooi Els, Pringle Bay and Betty’s Bay) benefit from a reliable water source from the Buffels catchment area.
An inquiry was raised regarding the delays in new connections by the municipality, represented by Rickie. He typically begins his workday around 6:45 AM to organize tasks for himself and the two plumbing teams. If there is a pipe burst on a day planned for new connections, his teams must prioritize repairs. Although there are two plumbing teams, personnel may be absent due to leave or illness, often resulting in only one team available for tasks. Denovan mentioned that of the 30 requests for Betty’s Bay, only 5 have exceeded the threshold of 30 days. It was also announced that a third plumbing team will soon be added, although this will be a two-person team dedicated solely to addressing sewage blockages for the time being.
Our current funding levels are insufficient to achieve our goals regarding engineering and services. The team led by Stephen is exploring innovative funding mechanisms, for which we are very grateful. Details will be shared publicly via an official notice from his department in due course. We appreciate the efforts of our engineering teams, who are working diligently and creatively on our behalf.
Additionally, we raised several minor issues with the Engineering and Planning team, and all parties understand the challenges and solutions. Progress on these matters will be made in a timely manner to improve our services.
Furthermore, it was announced that we will soon welcome new sewerage tankers to our existing fleet of six, of which only two are currently operational. The addition of these new tankers will facilitate sewage collection operations from Monday to Friday, with a standby tanker available on weekends, as hiring external services has proven to be costly.
I am confident that our engineering services, planning, and operational teams are performing admirably under the circumstances.
Summary of Meeting with OM regarding Parking
Amund and I recently met with the OM Kleinmond Engineering Services team and a representative from OM Hermanus Conservation to address parking concerns at three key locations.
- Penguin Street (Near the Hub): It was agreed that the parking area will be expanded to maximize capacity, thereby increasing the number of available safe parking spaces. This will involve removing vegetation and covering the open ground with gravel to complete the designated area, including the vegetation island within that space.
- Main Beach: This topic presented some challenges, as the conservation representative made it clear that there would be no compromise regarding the preservation of the dune for parking purposes, in alignment with the dune management program. However, we reached a preliminary agreement to create additional parking on Myrica Road at the bend into Access Road and along one side of Access Road. We also decided to implement a one-way street from Myrica to the midpoint of Access Road, enhancing safety and traffic management during peak season. Furthermore, a portion of the road reserve on Anglers will be designated for parking.
- Silversands Parking: It was agreed that we should maximize the use of the road reserve for parking and ensure that proper restroom facilities are planned as part of this process.
Having established these solutions for improving parking, we decided to entrust the planning and execution to the OM Kleinmond Engineering section. It is important to note that several critical steps must be taken before any work can commence.
Info from Minister Dion George
The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and Environment (DFFE) is delighted to announce its support for a historic settlement agreement reached in principle between the fishing industry and conservation organisations, being BirdLife South Africa and the Southern African Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal Birds (SANCCOB). This agreement establishes critical island closures to protect South Africa’s penguin populations, aligning perfectly with the DFFE’s long-standing vision for collaborative conservation.
Under the leadership of the Minister, Dr Dion George, the DFFE has consistently advocated for cooperation between the fishing industry and conservation groups to address the decline of penguin populations while supporting sustainable livelihoods. After his appointment as Minister, Dr George instructed his legal team to work to settle the matter. He requested a meeting with all parties without their legal representatives. Only the fishing industry accepted. He then requested a meeting with all parties with their legal representatives. At that meeting, he instructed the establishment of a working group to seek consensus on the island closures to the benefit of the now critically endangered African Penguin.
This settlement, independently reached by the parties involved, reflects a science-based, cooperative effort to implement effective closures around key penguin breeding islands. The DFFE is eager to implement this agreement, which precisely reflects the outcome the Department has sought from the outset.
The agreed island closures include:
Dassen Island: Interim closure as per current permit conditions.
Robben Island: A 20 km closure, consistent with the Island Closure Experiment.
Stony Point: Closure as depicted by the black hatched line in the agreed diagram, applicable to all fishing vessels.
Dyer Island: Interim closure as reflected in current permit conditions.
St Croix Island: Closure delineated by coordinates (western boundary: 25°45’E; southern boundary: 34°01′ to 25°50’E; southern boundary east: 33°59′ to 25°59’E; eastern boundary to MPA: 25°59’E).
Bird Island: A 20 km closure radius from the lighthouse, as implemented during the Island Closure Experiment.
These measures, subject to being made an order of court and reflecting the duration outlined in the previous Minister’s decision of 4 August 2023, represent a balanced approach to conserving penguin habitats while respecting the needs of the fishing industry. The DFFE commends the stakeholders for their dedication in reaching this agreement, which sets a powerful precedent for environmental collaboration.
Dr George hailed the settlement as a significant victory for conservation and sustainable development. “This agreement is a testament to what can be achieved when industries and conservationists unite for a common cause,” said Dr George. “It delivers on the DFFE’s vision of protecting our penguins and preserving our biodiversity, while ensuring the sustainability of our fishing industry. I am proud to lead a department that has consistently guided stakeholders toward such outcomes, and I celebrate this milestone as a triumph for all South Africans.”
The DFFE will work closely with all parties to ensure this historic agreement becomes an order of the court, will ensure the successful implementation of the agreed closures and will support efforts to monitor their impact on penguin populations.
We extend our gratitude to all parties for embracing the settlement process as set out by the Minister. Together, we are building a future where conservation and industry thrive in harmony.
SEA WATCH letter to Minister Dion George re Abalone
Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment
The Director-General
Attention: Ms Olga Kumalo
Private Bag X 447
PRETORIA
0001
Dear Ms Kumalo
PROPOSAL FOR THE INCLUSION OF SOUTH AFRICAN ABALONE IN CITES APPENDIX II AT CITES COP20
OBJECTIVE
- This proposal advocates for the addition of dried South African abalone (Haliotis midea) to CITES Appendix II due to significant threats from illegal fishing. Two criteria (Annex 2a, Criteria A and B) justify this listing in accordance with the Convention (Resolution Conf. 9.24 (Rev. CoP15)).
BACKGROUND
- Seawatch is a registered NPC that has been working in the coastal area from Kleinmond to Rooi Els area since 1995. We note that the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) advertised for proposals for South African species Appendix I or II for consideration at CoP20. In this regard, we strongly support the proposal to DFFE that recommends the inclusion in Appendix II of wild exploited South African abalone (Haliotis midea) that are exported in dried form. Two qualifying criteria (Annex 2a, Criterion A and B) apply in this case of the Convention (Resolution Conf. 9.24 (Rev. CoP15). This resolution outlines the scientific and trade criteria that must be met for a species to be included in or removed from these appendices.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
- SEA WATCH acknowledges:
- DFFE Vision: A prosperous and equitable society living in harmony with our natural resources.
- DFFE Mission: Providing leadership in environmental management, conservation and protection towardssustainability for the benefit of South Africans and the global community.
- DFFE Departmental Values: The department ensures it meets its mandate by following values stated below:
- We are driven by our Passion as custodians and ambassadors of the environment.
- We must be – Proactive and foster innovative thinking and solutions to environmental management premised on a
- People centric approach that recognizes the centrality of Batho-Pele, for it is when we put our people first that we will serve with –
- integrity, an important ingredient for high performance driven organisation such as ours.
- Protected ecosystems and species: Develop and implement effective strategies for the management of the ocean’s environment. Increasing total area of the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) which is declared as a new offshore protected area and developing Marine Protected Areas Management plans for effective management of declared areas.
PROPONENTS
- Include South Africa, Namibia, China, Singapore, Canada, the EU, and the USA.
SUPPORTING STATEMENT
- Haliotis midea, endemic to South Africa, has suffered from illegal fishing, with annual illegal exports exceeding 3000 tons, far surpassing the Total Allowable Catch of 41.6 tons in 2024. Aquaculture efforts have produced 3000 tons annually at legal farms, but wild populations have plummeted, leading to their Endangered status on the IUCN Red List. Illegal trade primarily targets dried Haliotis midea, with 90% of exports heading to Hong Kong, creating a significant conservation crisis.
POPULATION TRENDS AND THREATS
- Haliotis midea has experienced a 90% reduction in abundance since 1990, primarily due to extensive poaching and inadequate enforcement measures. Its population densities have significantly decreased, with notable local extinctions observed within Marine Protected Areas (MPAs). Furthermore, the Allee Effect is contributing to reproductive challenges, which poses a risk to the species’ continued existence.
TRADE AND LEGAL CONTEXT
- Legal trade remains low, primarily due to aquaculture; however, illegal trade continues to be a significant issue. The international community and CITES acknowledge the necessity for stringent export regulations, and there are ongoing concerns regarding South Africa’s ability to maintain effective monitoring following its withdrawal from CITES Appendix III in 2010. Additionally, there are widespread apprehensions about the quality and safety of products sourced illegally.
MANAGEMENT AND CONSERVATION
- Current conservation measures have proven to be inadequate. It is recommended that we implement enhanced monitoring and establish harvest refugia. Additionally, there is an opportunity to align aquaculture practices with sustainable wild stock management to support recovery efforts.
CONCLUSION
- Seawatch strongly advocates for the inclusion of South African abalone (Haliotis midea) in CITES Appendix II due to the significant and ongoing threats posed by illegal fishing. Despite advancements in aquaculture, the wild population has seen a drastic decline, resulting in its Endangered status on the IUCN Red List. Furthermore, illegal exports have substantially exceeded the Total Allowable Catch, highlighting an urgent need for stricter international trade regulations.
(W R JACKSON)
SEAWATCH: DIRECTOR seawatch.npc@gmail.com
NOTE: The BBRA have communicated to Minister Dion George on three main issues.
- The plight of the penguins at Stony Point and their diminishing fishing grounds.
- The amendment to their policies on permits for harvesting kelp in Betty’s Bay.
- As indicated in the above letter to include dried abalone onto CITES.
- The importance of community driven conservation and resource management.
When dealing with scenarios involving fatalities
It’s crucial to follow these clear protocols to ensure safety, preserve evidence, and maintain order.
Safety Protocols
Immediate Scene Safety: Ensure the area is safe for responders and bystanders. This includes addressing hazards like fire, unstable structures, or hazardous materials.
First Aid and Emergency Response: If there are survivors, prioritize their care. Administer first aid and call emergency medical services (EMS).
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Use appropriate PPE to protect against biohazards or other risks.
Scene Preservation: Avoid disturbing the scene unnecessarily to maintain its integrity for investigation.
Documentation: Record observations, actions taken, and any changes to the scene.
Criminal Protocols
Securing the Scene: Establish a perimeter to prevent unauthorized access. This helps preserve evidence and ensures the safety of all present.
Notifying Authorities: Contact law enforcement immediately. They will take over the criminal investigation.
Evidence Preservation: Avoid touching or moving potential evidence unless absolutely necessary for safety reasons.
Witness Identification: Identify and separate witnesses to prevent contamination of their accounts.
Chain of Command and Handover
First Responder’s Role: The first person on the scene (e.g., a first aider, firefighter, or police officer) is responsible for initial safety measures and scene control.
Handover to Authorities: Once law enforcement or specialized investigators arrive, the first responder provides a detailed handover. This includes:
A summary of the situation.
Actions taken.
Observations and any changes to the scene.
Information about witnesses or other responders.
The handover should be clear, concise, and professional to ensure continuity of care and investigation. After the handover, the first responder may remain on-site to assist if required or be released from the scene.
SDF, GMS and Technical reports. What is going on?
It began with an advertisement regarding the COMPILATION OF A SPATIAL DEVELOPMENT FRAMEWORK (SDF) FOR THE OVERSTRAND MUNICIPALITY.
This notice serves to inform the public of the Overstrand Municipality’s intention to compile a Spatial Development Framework (SDF) in accordance with Section 26(e) of the Municipal Systems Act, Act 32 of 2000 (MSA), and Section 20(2) of the Spatial Planning and Land Use Management Act, Act 16 of 2013 (SPLUMA).
The SDF aims to guide the overall spatial distribution of existing and planned land uses within the Municipality, aligning with the vision and objectives of the municipal Integrated Development Plan (IDP). Comprehensive documentation and additional details will be made available for public input and comment throughout this process. The Overstrand Municipality has engaged Tshani Consulting CC as the service provider responsible for leading and successfully completing this project.
The Overstrand Municipal Council strongly supports the concept of utilizing a Growth Management Strategy (GMS) to enhance the longer-term sustainability of the municipal area and its sub-regions. It is essential that the mechanisms employed are considerate of the unique character, heritage, and environmental attributes (both built and natural) of the various local areas.
This document serves as a draft technical working document intended to assist in finalizing the Growth Management Strategy for the Overstrand Municipal Council. It is important to note that this draft strategy does not confer or restrict any rights; rather, it provides preliminary guidelines that will, upon final approval by the Council, be utilized by relevant decision-makers.
The contents of this document emphasize the necessity for a growth management plan within the Overstrand Municipal area and the significance of densification as a strategy to achieve this objective. It further identifies and examines the factors influencing densification in the context of the Overstrand Municipal Area. Subsequent sections outline the proposed strategy and associated policies. The analysis, synthesis, and proposed growth management interventions for specific local areas are documented and illustrated in a series of detailed maps and accompanying text.
The methodology employed quantifies the maximum appropriate theoretical thresholds for densification across the 14 planning areas. However, practical implementation of densification is contingent upon the availability of necessary infrastructure and community facilities to support additional residential growth. The implementation section of this document provides concluding recommendations regarding priority areas for densification over the next five years and outlines the strategic actions required for successful implementation.
The technical report analyses urban dynamics, land use, population composition, and infrastructure within Betty’s Bay, a coastal settlement in the Overstrand Municipality.
There is a lot more to see when you study the document. During a discussion regarding the Draft Technical Report, the significance of the 2020 SDF version and the 2010 Growth Management Strategy (GMS) was emphasized. It also referenced the document currently circulating within our WhatsApp groups, which proposes updates and amendments to the SDF for the Overstrand Municipal Area. We were informed about the process for updating the SDF for Overstrand (Betty’s Bay), which includes:
A status quo report which will be made available for review in mid-2025.
A draft SDF for the area, including Betty’s Bay, which will be presented for review, input, and comments towards the end of 2025.
Betty’s Bay Ratepayers Association letter to the Minister re Kelp harvesting
2416 Crassula Road
Betty’s Bay
7141
25 February 2025
Environment House
473 Steve Biko Road
Arcadia
Pretoria
0083
Dear Minister George
FORMAL REQUEST: AMENDMENT TO SECTION B, PERMIT CONDITIONS: COMMERCIAL SEAWEED FISHERY
AIM
- The purpose of this correspondence is to request the review committee’s approval of Betty’s Bay Ratepayers Association (BBRA) proposal.
BACKGROUND
- Traditionally, kelp harvesting has played a vital role in supporting economic development and sustainability, with a focus on designated harvesting areas. The necessity for continued harvesting is well recognized.
- Overstrand Municipality (OM) invests ratepayers’ funds to create informative signage that alerts beach users to the presence of breeding birds. This initiative is grounded in the community’s commitment to preserving these sites. However, incidents have occurred where kelp harvesters have collected large amounts of kelp, inadvertently dragging it across nesting sites and endangering the eggs.
- In recent years, we have observed a concerning disregard for the environment among some kelp collectors. Each year, breeding shorebird warning signs, funded by OM, are installed along the coastline of Betty’s Bay during the breeding season to raise awareness and inform residents and visitors of vulnerable nesting areas. Unfortunately, these efforts are often undermined by the presence of multiple kelp collectors traversing the beaches while collecting kelp, putting the birds at significant risk.
- BBRA frequently receives complaints regarding this issue and feels compelled to take action. While the possibility of adding an addendum to the permit conditions for collectors has been proposed, this may present challenges. The BBRA advocates for a more permanent, legislated solution through your office to address these concerns effectively.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
- The BBRA acknowledge:
- DFFE Vision: A prosperous and equitable society living in harmony with our natural resources.
DFFE Mission: Providing leadership in environmental management, conservation and protection towards sustainability for the benefit of South Africans and the global community.
- DFFE Departmental Values: The department ensures it meets it mandate by following five values stated below:
- We are driven by our Passion as custodians and ambassadors of th environment. We must be –
- Proactive and foster innovative thinking and solutions to environmental management premised on a –
iii. People centric approach that recognizes the centrality of Batho-Pele, for it is when we put our people first that we will serve with –
- Integrity, an important ingredient for high performance driven organisation such as ours.
- Protected ecosystems and species: Develop and implement effective strategies for the management of the ocean’s environment. Increasing total area of the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) which is declared as a new offshore protected area and developing Marine Protected Areas Management plans for effective management of declared areas.
PROBLEM STATEMENT
- Kelp removal teams are inadvertently disturbing nesting sites, resulting in the destruction of newly laid eggs during the breeding season.
- There appears to be a lack of consideration for environmental impacts and a failure to engage respectfully with individuals and organizations dedicated to the preservation of local and migratory bird populations.
- These incidents occur consistently throughout the year.
- There is a need for formal and regular communication with the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) and the BBRA.
SOLUTIONS
- Establish effective communication channels with the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) and the BBRA.
- Amend the permit conditions to exclude the breeding season months, specifying that the harvesting season for kelp will be from April 1 to October 31 each year.
- Define the harvesting time for each day as commencing half an hour after sunrise and concluding half an hour before sunset.
- Provide a comprehensive instruction manual or operations guide to educate members of the extraction team on conducting their activities in a professional and respectful manner.
REQUEST
- We kindly request the addition of a new sub-paragraph to paragraph 6 under catch controls and limitations of section B in the permit conditions for commercial seaweed fishery, to read as follows: “6.3. The permit holder shall only harvest outside of bird breeding seasons as indicated in the table below.”
Harvest area Harvest period starting Harvest period ending
Betty’s Bay Overstrand 1st of April of each year 31st of October of each year
Bird breeding area Bird breeding season starting Bird breeding season ending
Betty’s Bay Overstrand 1st of November each year 31st of March each year
CONCLUSION
- BBRA anticipates a successful outcome in this matter and aims to establish a productive relationship with the DFFE. We also recognize and appreciate your hard work and commitment to improvement.
- The BBRA firmly believes that once this change is enacted, Betty’s Bay may be well-positioned to rehabilitate additional areas that support various bird species.
(W R JACKSON)
BETTY’S BAY RATEPAYERS’ ASSOCIATION: CHAIRMAN
Betty’s Bay Ratepayers Association letter to the Minister re Penguins
2416 Crassula Road
Betty’s Bay
7141
6 December 2024
Environment House
473 Steve Biko Road
Arcadia
Pretoria
0083
Dear Minister George
BETTY’S BAY PENGUINS NEED EFFECTIVE PROTECTION FROM PURSE-SEINE FISHING TO AVOID EXTINCTION
I would like to extend my sincere congratulations on your new role as Minister. We are confident that you will bring about meaningful change, especially considering that previous efforts within this ministry have not achieved the desired outcomes.
On behalf of the Betty’s Bay Ratepayers Association, I am writing to express our unequivocal support for the urgent call to extend the industrial purse-seine fishing no-take zone around Stony Point, in order to better protect the African Penguins that breed there.
The recent discussions held by the Stony Point Nature Reserve and Betty’s Bay Marine Protected Area Advisory Committee, convened by CapeNature, have highlighted the dire need for more effective measures. The current no-take zone, covering only 30% of the penguins’ vital foraging areas, is grossly inadequate. Reliable research confirms that this closure does not offer any meaningful protection from the industrial anchovy and sardine fisheries, as it overlaps with regions that have been largely unfavourable to these fisheries over the past decade.
The alarming reclassification of the African Penguin from Endangered to Critically Endangered, coupled with the prediction of its potential extinction by 2035, underscores the urgency of this matter. This year alone, the number of breeding pairs at Stony Point has plummeted to less than 700, nearly half of last year’s count, a trend that is neither sustainable nor acceptable.
The African Penguin colony at Stony Point is not only a critical component of our local biodiversity but also a significant economic driver for the wider Betty’s Bay community, with an estimated annual tourism expenditure exceeding R50 million attributed to the penguin colonies. Their survival is crucial for maintaining our local economy and supporting countless jobs and businesses. The restaurant ‘On the Edge’ and the Mooiuitsig Community, which relies on this attraction for commercial income, face severe financial repercussions should the penguins disappear.
Furthermore, the extension of the no-take zone would benefit other marine life such as geelbek and snoek, which are also dependent on the same prey species as these penguins. Protecting these fish stocks is essential for the livelihoods of small-scale fishers in our region.
We therefore call on you with the utmost respect, Minister George, to take decisive action and implement a more representative and balanced no-take zone that encompasses the true foraging areas of the African Penguins. This step is not just about conservation, it is about preserving the very fabric of our community and way of life.
We urge you to act swiftly and decisively as we believe you can, to ensure that future generations can continue to marvel at these remarkable creatures.
(W R JACKSON)
BETTY’S BAY RATEPAYERS’ ASSOCIATION: CHAIRMAN