June 9, 2006

South Africa promises major improvements to aquaculture sector

South Africa's government promised the fish farming sector would be given a major boost in a parliamentary session Thursday (Jun 8), according to environment and tourism minister Marthinus van Schalkwyk.
 

South Africa must move swiftly to develop and expand its marine aquaculture industry, he told the national council of provinces while opening the debate on his department's budget.

South Africa, with only ZAR3 million (US$440,000) and about 2 500 jobs in aquaculture, only accounted for a miniscule portion of the multi-billion dollar market.

Schalkwyk revealed that fish stocks of Africa are at all-time lows.

He also pointed to the 2005 World Fish Report that said the country needs to have a 20 percent increase in production just to maintain current fish supplies.

Schalkwyk said supply from the country's oceans would not meet those needs as there was simply not enough fish over the long term.

The department said it would help drive sustainable growth of the industry by ensuring both competitiveness and participation by small, medium and micro enterprises.

To preserve South Africa's stocks, the department was working with neighbouring countries to improve management of the marine ecosystem.

With enforcement initiatives, these programmes would help to protect fish stocks across national borders, he said.