To comply with the Environmental Authorization (EA) and Environmental Management Programme (EMPr) for the Saldanha Bay Aquaculture Development Zone (ADZ), ongoing independent environmental monitoring is undertaken. The baseline and subsequent environmental monitoring surveys conducted since 2019 identified the presence of exposed reef patches within Big Bay, particularly in the finfish precinct of the ADZ.
The reef structure was described as being predominantly low-profile (<1 m in height) and it was proposed that the extent of rocky substratum in Big Bay is likely much greater than initially estimated. These findings emphasized the need to understand the full extent of the calcrete reef platform and its potential vulnerability to current and future aquaculture activities.
Saldanha Bathymetric Survey_2024_26Feb2025_final
