SAPPI SAICCOR OUTFALL PIPELINE - ALIWAL SHOAL S.A.
- by: Debbie Smith
- recipient: Minister of Environmental Affairs
It does not matter how long the company has been in existence, it does not matter how many scientific papers have been drawn up, it does not matter whether the company has governmental influence or not, it does not matter how many "scientists" are involved in the regular workshops and meetings and nor does it matter whether there is little to no effect to the ocean life, or so it is said............what does matter is that we should have evolved enough to be finding alternatives to dumping waste, in whatever form, into the ocean. And whether this costs extra will be worth it and is vital and necessary for the future of our oceans. SAPPI is a large concern and should be setting a positive trend for the environment.................
Since the earlier days, members of the public, divers, conservationists, business and concerned people have been opposed to the outfall pipeline that stems from SAPPI SAICCOR, which is situated up the Umkomazi River Valley, Umkomaas, Kwazulu-Natal, S.A. The pipeline has since been extended and yet we STILL battle with effluent on the Aliwal Shoal dive sites and surrounding areas.
The greater Aliwal Shoal area, including shark diving is a world renowned area and is rated as one of the top 10 dive sites in the world and brings in a big amount of inbound as well as local tourism, not to mention well known people, internationally and locally and together, all of this boosts local business, job creation and many more aspects. Furthermore, Aliwal Shoal falls within an MPA (marine protected area), meaning that we need permits to dive here. Whilst a marine protected area is a superb thing, how do we explain to all our visitors that we have an outfall pipeline that affects this area but yes, it is still an MPA. How do we explain the poor viz days due to the pipeline?
It is simply not enough to discharge effluent into the ocean "out of sight out of mind". It is not enough that regular testing is done by VARIOUS individuals and management companies. This is not good enough. The environment should come first and better ways, even if more costly, should be found to uphold this at all times.
There have been times that the pipeline has been broken and it has taken a very long time to get fixed, due to unfavourable weather and other issues. We sit with an outfall pipeline that affects the ocean - how simple is this!!!
The KwaZulu-Natal coastline is a major tourism attraction but sadly we sit with situations such as this one, that just does not move forward and just chugs along, year after year, whilst tourism must just sit back and accept the "bad" days with the great days in the ocean.
ENOUGH IS ENOUGH - We are asking for further investigation into this outfall pipeline,. We are asking for alternative methods to be found to this outfall pipeline discharging into the ocean, which affects a world renowned dive site and MPA area.
THIS OUTFALL PIPELINE IS NO LONGER ACCEPTABLE and it is time for change!!!!!! Forget about all the scientific data to back up the existence of this pipeline. The ocean is coming off 2nd best here!!!!!!! We need to ask whether huge monies being spent on external contracts, maintenance contracts etc would not be better spent on a complete alternative with no discharge into the ocean - period!!!!!!!
WHY MUST THE OCEAN BE A DUMPING GROUND?????? - this is no longer acceptable.
Sign PetitionSign PetitionSince the earlier days, members of the public, divers, conservationists, business and concerned people have been opposed to the outfall pipeline that stems from SAPPI SAICCOR, which is situated up the Umkomazi River Valley, Umkomaas, Kwazulu-Natal, S.A. The pipeline has since been extended and yet we STILL battle with effluent on the Aliwal Shoal dive sites and surrounding areas.
The greater Aliwal Shoal area, including shark diving is a world renowned area and is rated as one of the top 10 dive sites in the world and brings in a big amount of inbound as well as local tourism, not to mention well known people, internationally and locally and together, all of this boosts local business, job creation and many more aspects. Furthermore, Aliwal Shoal falls within an MPA (marine protected area), meaning that we need permits to dive here. Whilst a marine protected area is a superb thing, how do we explain to all our visitors that we have an outfall pipeline that affects this area but yes, it is still an MPA. How do we explain the poor viz days due to the pipeline?
It is simply not enough to discharge effluent into the ocean "out of sight out of mind". It is not enough that regular testing is done by VARIOUS individuals and management companies. This is not good enough. The environment should come first and better ways, even if more costly, should be found to uphold this at all times.
There have been times that the pipeline has been broken and it has taken a very long time to get fixed, due to unfavourable weather and other issues. We sit with an outfall pipeline that affects the ocean - how simple is this!!!
The KwaZulu-Natal coastline is a major tourism attraction but sadly we sit with situations such as this one, that just does not move forward and just chugs along, year after year, whilst tourism must just sit back and accept the "bad" days with the great days in the ocean.
ENOUGH IS ENOUGH - We are asking for further investigation into this outfall pipeline,. We are asking for alternative methods to be found to this outfall pipeline discharging into the ocean, which affects a world renowned dive site and MPA area.
THIS OUTFALL PIPELINE IS NO LONGER ACCEPTABLE and it is time for change!!!!!! Forget about all the scientific data to back up the existence of this pipeline. The ocean is coming off 2nd best here!!!!!!! We need to ask whether huge monies being spent on external contracts, maintenance contracts etc would not be better spent on a complete alternative with no discharge into the ocean - period!!!!!!!
WHY MUST THE OCEAN BE A DUMPING GROUND?????? - this is no longer acceptable.
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