Update

MOSSEL BAY NEWS - The Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) health office has responded again to queries from the Mossel Bay Advertiser about trucks dropping water stinking of fish on Church Street in town.

An article on this was published in last week's edition of the Advertiser, 25 March, on page 3.

In a statement, GRDM noted: "Inspections were conducted by the GRDM chief: Municipal Health, responsible for the Mossel Bay area, on 22 and 23 March.

"It was established that the smells originate from water leaking from fish transport trucks when the steep incline from the harbour towards the town is traversed. Water then gathers at the back of the truck and leaks out on to the road.

"These conditions were discussed with the manager of properties of two fishing companies based on the West Coast. At present 300 tons of fresh pilchards are loaded directly from the trawlers each day. Some pilchards are loaded in crates, which allow water to drain into the loading bay. Others are loaded in non-leaking bins for transport and do not contribute to the problem."

The property manager, the same as a logistics manager, oversees the operations at the Mossel Bay harbour of the two fishing companies for transport of the sardines to St Helena Bay and Velddrif, where the companies are based. 

The manager is responsible for ensuring the fish are washed, crated, kept at the correct temperature and loaded on to the trucks of the contracted transporter.

'Fish water leaking'

GRDM stated: "The trucks, loaded with crates which allow water to drain, are parked on a ramp with an estimated incline of 1:15, for the water to drain off before the journey begins. 

This process takes about 15 minutes. When drivers are pressured for time, it happens occasionally that they depart before all the water is disposed of at the ramp, resulting in fish water leaking out of the truck against the steep incline in Church Street.

"The manager gave us assurance that the truck drivers are aware of the importance of waiting until all the water is drained. Written instructions to adhere to this will be served to the contracting transport company. The transport companies are also in the process of installing tanks at the back of the trucks to prevent fish water being spilled on the road. A number of tanks were installed and the rest of the trucks are in the process of having tanks installed.

"The manager will ensure that copies of this notice are given to all persons involved in the transport of fish."

GRDM noted: "The situation will be monitored by the Environmental Health practitioners at GRDM's Mossel Bay office, as well as traffic officials from Mossel Bay Municipality.

"Regular inspections and monitoring of all fishing companies based in the harbour will be intensified to ensure that health regulations are complied with."

'We bring you the latest Mossel Bay, Garden Route news'