Tina Joemat-Pettersson, the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries welcomes the sailing of the Africana for the commencement of the pelagic biomass survey.
South Africa's oldest research vessel, the Africana turns 30 this year and has departed to conduct the annual six-week long survey to determine the biomass of sardine and anchovy.
"I would like to congratulate every single person who worked to see the sailing of the Africana possible. The department committed itself to ensuring that the survey would be carried out, and that day has come", said the Minister.
"I am especially pleased that this important vessel will feed into the calculation of the anchovy and sardine total allowable catches for 2013, she continued.
Industry leaders have congratulated the Minister for the sailing of the vessel, with the CEO of Oceana, Mr Francois P Kuttel saying in a letter addressed to the Minister, "I am well aware that a significant number of complicated hurdles had to be crossed in order to achieve the sailing of the vessel as scheduled. I commend you and your department on navigating these and achieving an acceptable outcome."
Mr Kuttel added that the robustness of this data is critical in order to achieve the maximum productivity of the resource whilst ensuring its long term sustainability.
This survey is of high priority for the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF) not only because the pelagic fishery is the largest in South Africa in terms of catch - around 400 000 tons annually - but also the second most important in terms of value, currently estimated ataround R1 billion.
I wish the management crew, under the command of Captain Khwaedi Lotta Mabula from the South African Navy, as well as the research team, under the leadership of Kanakana Mushanganyisi all the best and we look forward to their safe return.
For more information, contact:
Palesa Mokomele, Spokesperson for the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries
Tel: 012 319 7876 (PTA)
Fax: 012 319 6681 (PTA)
Tel: 021 467 4502 (CPT)
Fax: 021 465 6550 (CPT)
Cell: 082 904 1908
E-mail: PalesaM@daff.gov.za
