All the necessary Government approvals have been obtained from the Department of Fishing and Environment for a cob fish hatchery and fishing harbour in Wilderness.
Mr Klaas Damphullen, a Dutch billionaire harbour developer, has obtained the rights to develop a multi-million rand cob fish hatchery and fishing harbour in the Touw River mouth and lagoon area. The rights extend to erecting fishing nets from the point at Victoria Bay across the bay to Flat Rock.
Mr Damphullen said, “We will be dredging the Touw River mouth and constructing twin breakwaters into the sea to permit small boats to safely enter a re-designed Touw River mouth where at least 50 dinghies will be moored. SANParks has given permission for the erection of a fish factory on the western banks of the river. The Kaaimans River mouth will also be dredged to allow the cob to breed in both of these rivers. A grow-out facility will be established for the fingerlings. At the right age, the fish will be released into the sea. This is a fantastic job creation project.”
The English partner Rik Steinkop, who owns a chain of seafood restaurants in the UK, explained, “Wilderness provides a similar setting to Padstow in Cornwall where there has been an explosion in tourism and eateries. We are so excited.”
We approached local Councillor Leon van Wyk for his comments: “It is the first I have heard of this. Wilderness can do with a boost in the tourism industry. I foresee a boom time for Wilderness and George as we are also likely to see an in-migration of Gautengers with the possibility that Julius Malema will become premier in Gauteng in May.”
Construction is likely to commence in July.
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Mr Klaas Damphullen, a Dutch billionaire harbour developer, has obtained the rights to develop a multi-million rand cob fish hatchery and fishing harbour in the Touw River mouth and lagoon area. The rights extend to erecting fishing nets from the point at Victoria Bay across the bay to Flat Rock.
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