Case Decision - 355516

Case Decision

We believe that the primary use of the fixed grid system is not advisable due to the site being located in the surf zone. There is a risk that the grid could become loose and damage either the site, the environment around it and potentially divers working on the site. Past experiences of fixed grid use in similar sea conditions in South Africa have not yielded positive results. The advice is to update the project design and prioritise the use of datum points and trilateration as this is known to work better in rough sea conditions. The use of a fixed grid could be included in the project design as an additional option should the site conditions permit.

It is also advised that the project design increase the area in which the research team wish to conduct test excavations. Currently, the test excavation focuses on one small area, and should this area not yield any results the team would not be permitted to test excavate in other areas. The advice is to make the application area bigger, such as is shown in Figure 3 of the project design and state that while area 2024MBR-B-022 is the priority, there may be other targets identified during the survey work which could undergo test excavation. 

In addition, the use of water cannons, jets and propeller washing is not encouraged as this may cause unnecessary damage to the reef and any corals that may be present on the site. The use of a dredger is the preferred method of excavation as there is less chance of it damaging any cultural remains or the environment around it.

Please ensure that you consider the need for other environmental permits or access permits to be able to work in this area.