alternative means of livelihoods
3 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 (DG) of the Department of Environmental
Affairs and Tourism said, today, 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,
non-governmental organisations (NGOs), 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 30 days
from Friday, 29 June, to Tuesday, 31 July 2007.
The DG 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% to 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 $256 million in 1992 to
$733 million 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 DG. 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, 4 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 http://www.deat.gov.za.
Issued by: Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism
3 July 2007
