Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Senzeni Zokwana says developing inland fishing is key to food security and marine conservation in the Eastern Cape province
Last week the Minister Zokwana visited the Eastern Cape province on a two-day trip to hold meetings with the executive leadership over the creation of employment in the fisheries, agriculture and forestry sectors in the province.
On Thursday, the Minister attended the Eastern Cape Entrepreneur of the Year Awards in Mthatha. The following day, he visited an abalone farm in Haga Haga with the MEC of Rural Development and Agrarian Reform, Mlibo Qoboshiyane. The abalone farm visit was followed by a planning meeting with Premier Phumullo Masuale, MEC Zoboshiyane, heads of development agencies and officials.
Minister Zokwana said, alongside agriculture, inland fishing holds the key to job creation. The Minister also said government views aquaculture as key to providing skills to youth, and will also assist government to conserve our remaining stocks.
Wild Coast Abalone is currently the only abalone farm in the Eastern Cape and the third largest in South Africa.
"The fisheries sector, including aquaculture, has a critical role to play in meeting one of the greatest challenges confronting the world: food security. Fishing provides vital sources of livelihoods, nutritious food and economic opportunities. Fish continues to be one of the most traded food commodities worldwide.
“According to a recent United Nations report (2014) about 200 countries reported exports of fish and fishery products in 2012. The fishery trade is especially important for developing nations, in some cases accounting for more than half of the total value of traded commodities. In 2012, it represented about 10 percent of total agricultural exports and one percent of world merchandise trade in value terms, according to the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO)," said Minister Zokwana.
The South African government has placed the fisheries sector at the core of development through the Ocean Economy Strategy, also known as Operation Phakisa. Operation Phakisa will place marine resources central in the economy. "Aquaculture development would ensure we close the fish protein gap that may be created by the declining marine capture fish resources. Under Operation Phakisa we plan to grow the aquaculture sector value from R2 billion rand to up to R6 billion rand with a potential job creation of up to 200 010 by 2030," concluded the Minister.
Minister Zokwana will travel to all provinces to hold similar meetings where he will outline plans for job creation and food security for the country.
Enquiries:
Palesa Mokomele
Spokesperson of the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries
Tel: 012 319 7876
Fax: 012 319 6681
Tel: 021 467 4502
Fax: 021 465 6550
Cell: 082 904 1908
E-mail: PalesaM@daff.gov.za
