World Fisheries Day celebrations to be hosted in Saldanha Bay habour
Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Honourable Bheki Cele to host World Fisheries Day in Saldanha Bay on Monday 20th November 2017.
World Fisheries day is celebrated every year on November 21 throughout the world by fishing communities to highlight the importance of maintaining the world's fisheries. According to a United Nations report, fishing is central to the livelihood and food security of over 200 million people, especially in the developing world, while one of five people on this planet depends on fish as the primary source of protein. Aquaculture is growing more rapidly than all other animal food producing sectors – and recent figures from the UN's Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) indicate that around 80 million tonnes of fish and seafood are caught globally each year
The launch will include a Fish Market Festival to celebrate World Fisheries Day to commence from Saturday 18th November to Monday 20th November 2017 in Saldanha Bay harbour. The programme will include displays of live fish animals, fish tastings, cooking demonstrations, stall, learner programmes, face painting and much more.
On Monday 20 November the Deputy Minister will address members of the community, learners and fishing stakeholders.
World Fisheries Day celebrations serve as an important reminder to focus on changing the way the world manages global fisheries to ensure sustainable stocks and healthy oceans ecosystems. Overall, fisheries and aquaculture support the livelihoods of an estimated 540 million people, or eight percent of the world population. The amount of fish that people are eating continues to rise. Fish makes up 17% of the global population’s intake of animal protein, and provides essential nutrients, vitamins and omega-3 fatty acids. Around 10-12% of the world’s population depends on fisheries and aquaculture for their livelihoods.
The World Fisheries Day celebration will be utilized to highlight and promote a greater understanding of the fishing and aquaculture industries; its achievements, benefits and challenges. The focus would be to promote shared responsibility for the protection of marine and fish resources and sustainable use thereof.
Details of the event are as follows:
A Fish Market Festival
Date: 18-19 November 2017
Time: 09h00 until 15h00
Venue: Saldanha Bay Harbour, Pepper Bay location
The Fish Market Festival will create a vibrant market atmosphere where public will be allowed FREE entry to the harbour to support exhibitors who will display their fish products or wares in an enticing manner. Exhibitors will showcase and promote their produce and tasters to the public. This event will also present an opportunity for them to sell their goods. Exhibitors will include other sectors, intergovernmental entities, SMMEs as well as the corporate sector. Food tasting stations as well as cooking demonstrations will be part of the programme. In addition, tours on board a fishing vessel will be coordinated too.
Learner Awareness programme
Date: 20 November 2017
Time: 09h00 until 13h00
Venue: Saldanha Bay Harbour, Pepper Bay location
Media Tour with Deputy Minister and journalists:
Date: 20 November 2017
Time: Media Tour: 08h00 until 13h00
13h00 until 15:30 Minister’s address at Saldanha Bay Harbour
Venue: Saldanha Bay Harbour, Pepper Bay location
The aim of the media tour is showcase existing and future aquaculture developments in Saldanha Bay and Langebaan. The Deputy Minister will accompany journalists on a boat tour to the inner and outer bay to showcase projects mussel, oyster and ocean trout farmers where Aquaculture Operation Phakisa projects that are currently underway.
Any media that is interested in covering the event is requested to your contact details to:
E-mail: AndileBM@daff.gov.za
E-mail: mazikodesi@gmail.com
Cell Number: 073 834 0602
E-mail: MerleVD@daff.gov.za
Cell: 083 301 9400
For more information, kindly contact:
Carol Moses
E-mail: CarolMO@daff.gov.za or cemoses@gmail.com
Cell: 071 229 8484
