End of Commercial Fishing
by Middle of the Century Unless Alternatives
Such as Aquaculture are Developed
10 April 2007 - Media Statement - Department
of Environmental Affairs and Tourism - TUESDAY,
10 APRIL 2007: INTRODUCTION
It gives me great pleasure to address you
at the opening of the I&J Fin Fish Hatchery
- the first of its kind in the country,
and a giant step towards making the South
African fishing industry more sustainable.
The issues we face in our local fishing
industry reflect a global problem. A recent
report on global marine biodiversity concluded
that if current trends continue, we run
a huge risk that fisheries will collapse
worldwide by 2048.
The purported reasons for this collapse
are, amongst others, illegal and unsustainable
fishing practices and environmental impacts
such as climate change. However, this scenario
will only play itself out if we do nothing
differently. There is plenty of hope that
the future of fisheries will look decisively
brighter if we concentrate on five key principles:
o sustainable use;
o responsible allocations of fishing rights
within a tight regulatory
framework;
o collaborative effort underpinned by international
agreements;
o enforcement and compliance;
o the development of alternatives such as
aquaculture
I am therefore heartened by this move,
from one of South Africa’s oldest and best
known fishing companies, to make a serious
effort to develop marine aquaculture.
GLOBAL CONTEXT
The United Nations Food and Agriculture
Organisation has also recently published
a report which provides more detail on global
trends that reinforce the importance of
developing aquaculture. In 2004, capture
fisheries and aquaculture supplied the world
with about 106 million tonnes of food fish,
providing the highest apparent per capita
supply on record. Of this total, aquaculture
accounted for 43 percent.
Preliminary estimates for 2005 suggest
that total world fishery production reached
almost 142 million tonnes. This would represent
an increase of over 1 million tonnes compared
with 2004, as well as a new record level
of production. There was a decrease in the
contribution of capture fisheries to human
consumption, but this was offset by an increase
in the aquaculture contribution.
These facts tell a story: aquaculture provides
almost half the world’s seafood, filling
a void created by the depletion of wild
fish stocks.
Aquaculture continues to grow more rapidly
than all other animal food-producing sectors,
with a global average annual growth rate
of 8.8 percent per year since 1970, compared
with only 1.2 percent for capture fisheries
and 2.8 percent for terrestrial farmed meat
production systems.
Aquaculture production in 2004 was reported
to be 45.5 million tonnes with a value of
US$63.3 billion or, if aquatic plants are
included, 59.4 million tonnes with a value
of US$70.3 billion.
All regions showed increases in production
from 2002 to 2004, led by the Near East
and North Africa region and Latin America
and the Caribbean, with about 14 and 10
percent average annual growth, respectively.
Over the past 10-15 years, the proportion
of overexploited and depleted stocks has
remained unchanged, after showing a marked
increase during the 1970s and 1980s. The
remaining stocks were overexploited, depleted
or recovering from depletion and thus were
yielding less than their maximum potential
owing to excess fishing pressure.
This confirms earlier observations that
the maximum wild capture fishery potential
from the world’s oceans has probably been
reached. It also reinforces the calls for
more cautious and effective fisheries management
to rebuild depleted stocks and prevent the
decline of those being exploited at or close
to their maximum potential.
The sub-Saharan Africa region continues
to be a minor player in aquaculture despite
its natural potential. Nigeria leads in
the region, with reported production of
44 000 tonnes of catfish, tilapia and other
freshwater fishes. There are some encouraging
signs in the continent: black tiger shrimp
in Madagascar and Eucheuma seaweed in the
United Republic of Tanzania are thriving
and production of niche species such as
abalone in South Africa is increasing.
FIN FISH FARMING
The I&J fin fish hatchery would be
the first in South Africa. Given the context
of line fish in South Africa with at least
15 species having collapsed (including white
steenbras, galjoen, silver cob, red steenbras,
red stumpnose, dusky cob and geelbek), alternatives
such as line fish farming become important
to consider. With approximately 150 different
line fish species, only two species are
currently regarded as optimally exploited
- yellow tail and snoek. The other species
are considered to fall between collapsed,
threatened and over exploited.
Developing line fish farming, such as the
Fin Fish initiative, could augment the availability
of line fish and possibly assist with rebuilding
of wild stocks.
It is estimated that the fin fish farm
will produce about 1000 tons within the
first year valued at R30 p/kg. In addition
approximate 100 jobs are secured. The first
fin fish farm is further expected to supply
SMMEs with fish.
ABALONE FARMING
Abalone farming is a key aspect of South
Africa’s aquaculture development and priorities.
I&J has been involved in abalone farming
since 1991. It has invested more than R20
million in this activity, which includes
a farm in the Western Cape as well as a
joint venture, entered into in 2004, with
a Chilean company. These investments are
part of a thriving industry.
Abalone farming was initiated in South
Africa in the early 11000’s, and by 1996,
a number of small operators had entered
the industry. The first 10 tons were produced
in 1997, and by 2003, production had increased
to 515 tons. By last year (2006) 900 tons
were produced. At present, there are 15
commercial farms in operation. However,
the industry continues to grow, and during
the 2006 period, our Department issued 23
permits to culture the species. While most
of the farms are located in the Western
Cape - most notably along the South coast
between Hermanus and Danger Point, and around
Saldanha Bay / St Helena Bay area on the
West coast; farms are also located as far
North as Port Nolloth in the Northern Cape,
and as far east as Haga-Haga in the Eastern
Cape.
Abalone farming has the highest economic
value when compared to all other farmed
products and is the highest employer within
the marine aquaculture sector. The sector
employs more than 800 people which constitutes
more than 80% of total marine aquaculture
employment. During 2006 the economic value
of abalone was just above R141 000 000 whilst
the total value of the sector was around
R150 000 000.
This sector continues to grow whilst the
wild abalone stocks continue to diminish
for example the Total Allowable Catch (TAC)
for abalone during 2006 was 223tons and
has been reduced to 125tons for 2007. Therefore
farmed abalone could assist to compensate
for jobs that are lost in the wild abalone
fishery. There is also a high demand especially
from the Far East countries that could be
met by increasing the production of farmed
abalone.
Currently, focus is also placed on BEE
within the sector.
SUSTAINABLE LIVELIHOODS
In our country, we have to take into account
the issues of job creation and sustainable
livelihoods. We have set ourselves an ambitious
target in ASGISA of halving unemployment
and poverty by 2014 and we have to look
at every possible means of achieving this
target. Once more, the global data is encouraging.
Millions of people around the world depend
on fisheries and aquaculture, directly or
indirectly, for their livelihoods. Over
the past thirty years, the number of fishers
and aquaculturists has grown faster than
the world’s population, and employment in
the fisheries sector has grown faster than
employment in traditional agriculture.
This provides a powerful incentive for
our country to develop aquaculture on a
larger scale. Another huge motivating factor
is nutrition. Fish is highly nutritious
and is a valuable supplement to diets otherwise
lacking in vitamins and minerals.
Global per capita fish consumption has
increased over the past forty years. However,
sub-Saharan Africa has lagged behind that
of the rest of the world, decreasing from
a high of 9.9 kg per capita in 1982 to the
most recent estimate of 7.6 kg in 2003.
The region can ill afford to see this trend
continue or worsen. However, aquaculture
can help also here as has been noted by
the New Partnership for Africa’s Development
(NEPAD). In 2005, the NEPAD “Fish for All
Summit” raised international awareness about
the potential of aquaculture in the continent.
DEAT MARINE AQUACULTURE POLICY
Taking into account the global picture,
as well as our local needs, our department
is in the process of developing a marine
aquaculture policy for South Africa that
will be implemented through a national sector
development plan. The policy aims to create
an enabling environment that includes, amongst
others, improved communication and information,
incentives for industry development and
better intergovernmental coordination.
The policy also looks at achieving transformation
and broadening participation in the industry
through SMME initiatives and facilitating
finance and skills development. Our policies
are also intended to improve the management
and control of environmental impacts and
increase the resource base to a more diverse
suite of species.
We are committed to partnering with a diverse
set of stakeholders to ensure that there
is a well coordinated drive to achieve the
goals set out in the plan.
CONCLUSION
I am confident that this will be the first
step on a long and prosperous path towards
a successful sustainable aquaculture industry.
Riaan Aucamp
+ More
TSITSIKAMMA COMMUNITY’S REQUESTS TO GAIN
ACCESS INTO MARINE PROTECTED AREA FOR SUBSISTENCE
FISHING IS BEING CONSIDERED. DEPUTY MINISTER,
MS REJOICE MABUDAFHASI, TO PROVIDE FEEDBACK
TO THE COMMUNITY ON THE 10TH APRIL ’07.
10 APRIL 2007 - Media Statement - Department
of Environmental Affairs and Tourism - TUESDAY,
10 APRIL 2007: The current process embarked
upon by the department opens a new chapter
in the lives of Tsitsikamma community in
the Eastern Cape. A sigh of relief will
reverberates throughout Tsitsikamma as access
to Tsitsikamma National Park Marine Protected
Area for community’s subsistence fishing
is being seriously considered by Deputy
Minister, Ms Rejoice Mabudafhasi.
Recognizing that the site is a Marine Protected
Area (MPA), stakeholders are engaged in
discussions to consider a set of conditions
that would be applicable to Tsitsikamma
community as pre-conditions for approval.
These conditions include monitoring and
compliance by all stakeholders.
Some of the conditions for Tsitsikamma
community’s consideration include the following:
Opening access to 10 km fishing area which
constitutes 13% of the total area
Limited Experimental/Trial access for a
period of 15 months.
Fish in designated areas only
Fish during the day
Strictly adhere to legal quotas of 5 fishes
per angler
Report catches to monitors
Avoid littering
Endangered species such as reef fish and
siffies which are closely related to abalone
may not be taken at all. Commercial fishing
is prohibited. Transgressors will be penalized
and this may include revoking the permits
of fishers.
“Educational and awareness campaigns to
school children and community at large should
be conducted continuously to empower them
to manage marine and coastal resources.
We should dissuade communities from the
perception that marine resources are unlimited.
Once community members are made aware of
the correct facts, they will adhere to legal
fishing quotas on their own and conserve
the coast for themselves and future generations.
Human beings can be empowered and apply
new knowledge for the benefit of current
and future generations”, said Deputy Minister
of Environmental Affairs and Tourism Ms
Rejoice Mabudafhasi.
The department is aiming at capacity building
of local communities by training and employing
people from the local people as catch monitors
under the Extended Public Works Programme
(EPWP) Coast Care Programme. Those who will
demonstrate a high level of competency and
passion for environmental conservation will
receive further training to upgrade their
knowledge and be exposed to careers within
environmental conservation fields.
Deputy Minister of Environmental Affairs
and Tourism, Ms Rejoice Mabudafhasi, will
deliver a keynote address. Site visits will
follow after the main program. Also leading
the delegation will be the Eastern Cape
MEC for Economic Affairs, Environment and
Tourism, Mr. M Sogoni and Executive Mayor
of Koukamma District Municipality, Mr. O’Connell.
The media are invited to be part of proceedings
for both the official program and site visits.
For more information for both events and
to arrange interviews, please contact:
Moses Rannditsheni
