03 July 2007 - TUESDAY,
04 JULY 2007: “Our commitment to sustainable
development, coupled with international
experience and best practice in the marine
aquaculture sector has led us to where we
are today in the development of this policy
for the South African economy”
Pam Yako, the Director General of the Department
of Environmental Affairs and Tourism said,
today, Tuesday 03 July 2007 when she officially
opened a stakeholder dialogue on the development
of the Marine Aquaculture policy for South
Africa, in Port Alfred.
This national marine aquaculture roundtable
is attended by all spheres of government,
the aquaculture and fishing industry, communities,
labour, NGO’s, research and academic institutions
and follows the publishing of the second
draft of the marine aquaculture policy in
the government gazette last Friday, 29 June
2007 calling for further stakeholder inputs
into the policy. The comments period will
last for thirty days from Friday, 29 June
to Tuesday, 31 July 2007.
The Director General told delegates that
the regime for aquaculture as a source of
income and another area for further growth
in the fishing industry can no longer be
left unattended especially with declining
and change in distribution in some marine
resources. “Aquaculture has a great potential
to meet the challenge of poverty and at
the same time alleviate the burden of over
harvesting in our oceans” she said. Speaking
about the overall focus and intent of the
roundtable, Ms Yako said that the roundtable
provides an opportunity for the Department
to consolidate inputs on the policy and
implementation strategies but also to interrogate
international best practice in the industry
with a view to shape the South African approach
in this regard.
“We can learn from our international counterparts
who have been engaged in this industry longer
and with commendable results for economic
and social development” She added that countries
like Chile, with similar challenges such
as ours in terms of the poverty and development
challenge provided excellent indicators
of the industry as a reliable contributor
in the economy. “Though there is a marked
difficulty in sourcing finance for marine
aquaculture, this industry contributes between
12% - 13% to the Chilean economy and has
recorded at least 60 000 permanent employment
for its citizens,” she said. China is another
example with resounding success where the
industry contributes up to 29% of their
total agricultural export and has a whopping
12 million labour force.
“We have also learnt significantly that
if environmental management systems are
lacking the impact of aquaculture on the
environment could be detrimental.” Yako
said. The importance of monitoring and control
systems to minimise adverse environmental
impacts are therefore essential. In the
case of Australia, where aquaculture is
one of the biggest and fastest growing primary
industries with aquaculture production generating
a revenue growth from $256m in 1992 to $733m
in 2002, the focus is on promoting ecologically
sustainable development of marine and land
based aquaculture through sound environmental
protection and biodiversity conservation
regulations.
Amongst the key issues for discussion at
the roundtable are:
Aquaculture international overview: case
studies of 6 countries
Community perspectives on aquaculture
Industry perspectives on aquaculture
Industry research needs
Economic perspectives
Environmental protection
Technology needs
Training and skills development
Funding for small medium, and micro enterprises
Labour perspectives
Fish health issues
“In dealing with these important issues,
we are asking the simple question: what
activities and actions are necessary between
and amongst us to accelerate the growth
of this industry in South Africa, which
will have a significant impact in our economy”
said the Director-General. She concluded
by calling for a more focused and collaborative
approach in defining the pillars and potential
challenges of the future development of
the industry in the country.
The Marine Aquaculture Stakeholder Roundtable
ends on Wednesday, 04 July 2007 and for
further information or media interviews,
please contact Mava Scott on 082 411 9821
or Carol Moses on 082 829 3917. To access
the second draft of the Marine Aquaculture
Policy please visit our website on www.deat.gov.za
