Directorate Sustainabale Aquaculture Management, Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries
Private Bag X2, Roggebaai, 8001
Tel: 021 402 3911
APPOINTMENT OF A SUITABLY QUALIFIED INDEPENDENT SERVICE PROVIDER TO
ASSIST THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, FORESTRY AND FISHERIES TO
CONDUCT FURTHER COMPARATIVE ASSESSMENTS FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF
THE PROPOSED SEA-BASED AQUACULTURE DEVELOPMENT ZONE LOCATED
WITHIN ALGOA BAY IN THE EASTERN CAPE
1.
INTRODUCTION
The Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF) as the lead agent for
aquaculture management and development in South Africa require the services of a suitably
qualified
environmental
assessment
practitioner,
with
expertise
in
aquaculture,
environmental and socio economic impact assessments as well as marine ecology to assist
the Department to complete further comparative assessments as per the Minister of
Environmental Affairs’ Appeal Decision dated 18 August 2015 for the sea-based Aquaculture
Development Zone (ADZ) located in Algoa Bay in the Eastern Cape, South Africa.
2.
BACKGROUND
An ADZ is an area that has been earmarked specifically for aquaculture activities. The
purpose of which is to create an enabling environment for the Marine Finfish Aquaculture
Sector to develop and expand in a sustainable manner. The benefits of ADZ’s are to
encourage investor confidence, create incentives for industry development, provide
aquaculture services, manage the risks associated with aquaculture, job creation, skills
development, empowerment of rural communities and most importantly benefit from the
Special Economic Zones incentives.
In 2009 a Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) was undertaken for the South African
coastline; as a whole to identify suitable aquaculture sites. This assessment highlighted the
Eastern Cape as an area with potential for the development of ADZs.
In 2010 DAFF,
Branch: Fisheries (then the Department of Environmental Affairs & Tourism) outsourced a
project to conduct an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for the development of an
Aquaculture Development Zone in the Eastern Cape for the farming of marine finfish. A
further updated SEA undertaken in 2011 identified a number of potential in-shore sites
through selective criteria mainly identified in collaboration with associated industry as well as
known environmental constraints. The sites then identified were subjected to a public
participation process for their comment and input as well as specialist review. In the process
a number of sites were eliminated due to the identification of potential fatal flaws. Two
possible ADZ sites; i.e. Algoa 1 and Algoa 5 remained and a detailed EIA needed to be
undertaken for these sites.
The EIA for the two Algoa sites was undertaken by an independent Environmental
Assessment Practitioner and the process commenced in 2010, resulting in the issuing of a
positive Environmental Authorisation (EA) dated 9 July 2014 for the proposed development
at Algoa 1. The aforementioned EA unfortunately only reached DAFF on 13 August 2014.
It is important to note that although Algoa 5 was considered as an alternative site during the
EIA process, DAFF did not consider Algoa 5 as the preferred site and hence a detailed
public participation process was not undertaken for this site.
During the appeals process, which followed on the issuing of the decision; a total of twenty
eight (28) substantive appeals were lodged against the decision. Based on the grounds of
appeal lodged, DAFF as the holder of the environmental authorisation requested that the
Minister grant them the opportunity to further explore the feasibility of Algoa 5 through a
comparative assessment of the potential impacts associated with Algoa 1 and 5. Based on
the latter, the Minister of Environmental Affairs deemed it unnecessary to make a particulate
ruling on the grounds of appeal.
Based on the information provided above, DAFF seeks to appoint an independent
Environmental Assessment Practitioner (EAP) to conduct a comparative assessment of the
environmental and socio-economic impacts (positive and negative) at both the Algoa 1 and
Algoa 5 sites; with specific reference to the proposed sea-based ADZ in Algoa Bay.
Amongst other, the appointed service provider is to conduct an impact assessment of the
potential ecological interactions between the proposed expansion of the Addo Marine
Protected Area (MPA) and the proposed ADZ (specifically at Algoa 5) relative to its location
within the proposed expansion area of the MPA.
3.
TERMS OF REFERENCE
3.1. The appointed Service Provider must address the following concerns with regards to the
comparative assessment, but may not be limited to the following:
3.1.1
Socio economic assessment should include a detailed analysis of the
projected revenue and employment opportunities likely to be created by the
proposed project, measured against the perceived loss in revenue and
employment opportunities as a result of concerns of the proposed project at
Algoa 1 North option.
3.1.2
Marine Ecological assessment should address a detailed assessment of
the feasibility of Algoa 5 as preferred alternative as well as key concerns
regarding the interactions of the proposed ADZ and the proposed MPA.
This should include hydrodynamic modelling of waste dispersal using
detailed profiling data. The model should look at different levels of ADZ
developments and predicted waste discharge and ensure that the waste
plume dose not reach sensitive habitats, shoreline reefs and Island groups.
Recommendations should be made with regards to reducing the foot print of
the site and creating a buffer zone between St Croix and Bird Island and the
proposed Algoa 5 site. Impacts associated with the establishment of the
ADZ within the proposed MPA should be identified and where relevant, such
impacts could be avoided, or if not, mitigated to acceptable levels.
3.1.3.
Feasibility Study of social, economic and environmental costs involved to
operate a mariculture facility with indigenous species as proposed in the EIA
at both Algoa 1 and Algoa 5.
3.2. The appointed service provider must review the Environmental Impact Assessment
Report; including the specialist reports which were submitted to DEA for consideration
during the EIA process. The Environmental Authorisation dated 9 July 2014 must also
be considered. The relevant information and requirements should be extracted from
these documents and incorporated into the assessments.
3.3. The Service Provider must ensure a sound Public Participation Process (PPP) as per
the legislative requirements are followed as the PPP process related to the Algoa 5 site
was deemed inadequate.
3.4. The appointed Service Provider must assist the Department with submitting the
assessments to the Department of Environmental Affairs for consideration and address
any amendments; including potential amendments to the EA recommended by the
DAFF and DEA in order to address the concerns raised by the appellants in the appeals
process.
3.5. The appointed Service Provider must assist the Department to resubmit the application
for Environmental Authorisation; if this is deemed necessary or apply for an amendment
to the existing environmental authorization.
3.6. The appointed Service Provider must take into consideration, amongst other relevant
legislation, frameworks, and existing conservation products in the undertaking of this
work.
3.7. The appointed Service Provider must:
a)
Be independent;
b)
Have expertise and knowledge in the various fields required to draft the
reports/ assessments as listed in Section 3. Alternatively, the service
provider must appoint the experts required and take responsibility for the
payment of any outsourced work;
c)
Comply with applicable legal requirements; and
d)
Be registered with the relevant scientific and professional organisations
in their field of expertise.
3.8. General Conditions:
3.8.1.
The Service Provider must provide a detailed pricing schedule.
3.8.2.
The Service Provider must quote set fees in South African Rand (inclusive of VAT)
3.8.3.
The Service Provider will be paid through the DAFF payments system upon
invoicing.
3.8.4.
Proposals must be accompanied by:
a)
Names and brief CVs of individuals which the Service Provider proposes
to be involved with the assessment.
b)
Brief (2 page) motivation explaining why the team/individuals are best
suited to undertake the review.
c)
4.
Confirmation of availability in accordance to specified time frame.
SPECIAL CONDITIONS
4.1. The Curriculum Vitae of the staff who will be available for the duration of the work;
NOTE: Failure to submit the CV’s will invalidate your proposal. The proposals
should be submitted with all required information containing technical information
(i.e. functionality) as well as price information.
4.2. The evaluation of proposals will be carried out in two phases – first phase based on
functionality and then the second phase based on the price and B_BBEE Status
Level. Proposals that do not qualify in the first phase will be eliminated.
4.3. Only applicants who score at least 70% for the technical information (functionality)
will be preferred.
4.4. The Department reserves the right to invite short listed suppliers/companies to
present their proposals for final decision.
4.5. Applicants must be prepared to work at rates not exceeding those prescribed by the
office of the Auditor-General or the Department of Public Service and Administration
(DPSA).
4.6. The successful service provider shall under no circumstances commence with the
project work without first being issued, by the Department, and signing an
appointment letter and an order number.
5.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON PROPOSALS
5.1. A breakdown of the hourly tariff inclusive of value-added tax for services rendered.
Expenditure incurred without the prior approval of the Project manager will not be
reimbursed.
5.2. In so far as possible, a comprehensive budget, showing the charge out rates of all
the staff to be involved in investigations and also including all other costs factors
such as travelling.
5.3. The Department will not be held responsible for any costs incurred by the applicant
in the preparation and submission of the proposals.
5.4. Please take note that the Department is not bound to select any of the firms
submitting proposals. The Department reserves the right not to award any of the
proposals and not to award the contract to the lowest proposal price as well as to
renegotiate the proposal price of the preferred applicant.
5.5. Travelling costs and time spent or incurred between home and office of consultants
and the Department head office will not be for the account of the Department.
6.
REPORTS AND PAYMENT
6.1. Applicants are required to submit a project plan of action of all deliverables detailing
the cost of the services. Prices quoted must be VAT inclusive.
6.2. The price must remain firm for the duration of the contract.
6.3. The successful applicant will be paid on a monthly basis upon submission of
acceptable monthly deliverable reports as stated in section 3.
6.4. The Programme manager and the Service Provider will meet every month for
progress update meetings.
7.
CONTACT PERSON FOR ENQUIRIES
Interested persons or organisation can obtain further information from Mrs Michelle
Pretorius, Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, 021 430 7034 or e-mail
MichellePR@daff.gov.za
8.
DEADLINE
8.1. The deadline for the submission of quotations is 15 January 2016.
8.2. Quotations should be sent to Ms. Pinky Moloi; email:, PinkyM@daff.gov.za contact
number: (021) 402 3397
Physical Address: 6th Floor: Directorate Supply Chain Management
Foretrust Building, Martin Hammerschlag Way, Roggebaai, Foreshore, Cape Town,
8012
Please quote the project name on the quotation/proposal.