Commercial Fishing Seafood Industry Contacts - South Africa A - L

Government Contacts & Information Resources for
Commercial Fishing, Seafood, Aquaculture, Marine & Oceans in South Africa

 

Fishery and Aquaculture Country Profile for South Africa - aquatic species caught by country or area, by species items, by FAO major fishing areas, and year, for all commercial, industrial, recreational and subsistence purposes. The harvest from mariculture, aquaculture and other kinds of fish farming is also included.

 

South African Bureau of Standards - We prepare and publish South African National Standards (identified by the letters SANS) reflecting national consensus on a wide range of subjects, aimed at improving the quality of life of all South Africans. Increasingly these are being harmonised with International Standards in order to facilitate trade.

 

The South African Network for Coastal and Oceanic Research (SANCOR) is a non-statutory body that generates and communicates knowledge and advice. It promotes the wise and informed use and management of marine and coastal resources and environments.

 

Marine Linefish Research Group - To focus and co-ordinate linefish research efforts and direction. To formulate and prioritise linefish research projects. To solicit funding for linefish research projects. To facilitate the transfer of linefish research results to managers and users. To organise periodic workshops and conferences

 

Consortium for Estuarine Research and Management (CERM) - CERM aims to provide a platform for affiliated organisations and individuals with diverse expertise to collaborate in promoting the wise management of estuarine systems. This is achieved through joint participation in directed research, training, and information and technology sharing.

 

The Ocean Data and Information Network for Africa (ODINAFRICA) brings together marine institutions from twenty-five Member States of the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO from Africa (Algeria, Angola, Benin, Cameroon, Comoros, Congo, Cote d'Ivoire, Egypt, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea, Kenya, Madagascar, Mauritania, Mauritius, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, Senegal, Seychelles, South Africa, United Republic of Tanzania, Togo, and Tunisia). The goal of the current phase of ODINAFRICA is to improve the management of coastal and marine resources and the environment in participating countries by: enhancing data flows into the national oceanographic data and information centres in the participating countries, strengthening the capacity of these centres to analyse and interpret the data so as to develop products required for integrated management of the coastal areas of Africa, and increase the delivery of services to end users.

 

International Association of Fish Inspectors - Fish, seafood and associated products that are safe, of acceptable quality and readily available for sale in the world's marketplaces. The International Association of Fish Inspectors (IAFI) is a new and growing organization serving the world fish inspection community. As stated in our Charter, IAFI exists to promote the exchange of ideas and information, foster interaction, understanding and professional collaboration among individuals, organizations, and governments, disseminate knowledge about fish, seafood, and associated products inspection, and promote advancement of the state-of-the-art in fish inspection research and education.

 

Marine Research Institute (MA-RE) - University of Cape Town - The Marine Research Institute is a dynamic, multidisciplinary institute based at the University of Cape Town. The institute’s greatest strength is the intellectual depth and range of its academic staff. It has over forty tenured researchers from a range of faculties and research units undertaking research in the marine and other “salty” water arena

 

AQUASTAT is FAO's global information system on water and agriculture developed by the Land and Water Division. It collects, analyses and disseminates data and information by country and by region. Its aim is to provide users interested in global, regional and national analyses with comprehensive information related to water resources and agricultural water management across the world, with emphasis on countries in Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean. Information for South Africa

 

Ocean Health Index South Africa - The Ocean Health Index is a valuable tool for the ongoing assessment of ocean health. By providing a means to advance comprehensive ocean policy and compare future progress, the Index can inform decisions about how to use or protect marine ecosystems. The Index is a collaborative effort, made possible through contributions from more than 65 scientists/ocean experts and partnerships between organizations including the National Center for Ecological Analysis and Synthesis, Sea Around Us, Conservation International, National Geographic, and the New England Aquarium. Information for South Africa

 

 

Eastern Cape Development Corporation - Aquaculture and mariculture are growing in the province and have good potential for further expansion as farming of captive fish respond to the global decline in capture fisheries. The province has a small, but vibrant fisheries sector producing most of South Africa’s squid. Other products include hake, south coast rock lobster and various linefish species.

 

The Eastern Cape has 800km of coastline and numerous inland water bodies that provide good opportunities for aquaculture operations and fisheries.

The fishing industry in the Eastern Cape generates over R400-million (US$53 million) a year and employs 3 500 people in both primary and secondary production.  The majority of the fishing infrastructure is concentrated in the Port Elizabeth Harbour where cold-storage and export facilities exist.

Of the R535 million (US$71 million) worth of animal and animal products exported from the Eastern Cape each year, R411 million of this is related directly to fisheries and aquaculture - this equates to 78% of the total animal and animal product exports from the province.

Cuttlefish and squid form the largest part of the fisheries exports (R300 million/US$40 million) followed by sardines (R26 million/US$3,5 million), fish and abalone.  Export markets for aquaculture and fisheries from the Eastern Cape include Italy, Spain, Malaysia, Taiwan and Hong Kong.

In terms of aquaculture as an industry in the Eastern Cape, the province currently ranks second, behind the Western Cape, in terms of the growth and development.  Successful commercial operations have proved that the Eastern Cape is an ideal location for fin-fish aquaculture.  In the past five years a number of investments into aquaculture in the province have proved the viability and potential for this type of production.  The availability of suitable land-based sites for production, the water temperature and the location of industrial development zones (in East London and Port Elizabeth) all contribute to a favourable growth and production environment.

Both the Coega and East London IDZ's have established themselves as aquaculture industrial and manufacturing hubs with investments totalling over R75 million in this industry.  Aquaculture investments in the province over the past four years have included:

• A prawn-farming venture in the Coega IDZ;
• A kob hatchery in the East London IDZ;
• The expansion of a successful abalone farm on the Eastern Cape east coast;
• A marine caged fin-fish project in the Nelson Mandela Bay; and
• An in-land kob farming operation 30km outside East London.

 

 Mariculture opportunities available to investors who are considering the Eastern Cape include:

• Abalone culture - a limited number of sites exist for onshore farming of abalone. Its high export potential to markets in the Far East make this an attractive investment opportunity.
• Abalone ranching - certain marine zones along the coast have been identified as being suitable for abalone ranching. However, these opportunities are dependent on the finalization of the ranching strategy by Marine & Coastal Management (national government).
• Offshore cage culture of fin-fish - ECDC has completed a Strategic Environmental Assessment for offshore mariculture zones in Algoa- and St Francis Bay. This assessment has found that significant potential exists for investment into this type of primary production. Irvin and Johnson (I&J), a large South African national fishing and processing company, are currently piloting a commercial operation in cage fin-fish in this area.

 

 

Southern African Marine Line Fish Species Profiles - Oceanographic Research Institute - This publication is a compilation of species profiles for 139 important marine line fish species from 38 families caught in southern African waters, including both teleosts and elasmobranchs. It provides a comprehensive update of a previous edition published in 2000. Where available, referenced information for each species is presented on distribution, movement, habitat, feeding, reproduction, biometrics, fishery, biological reference points, stock status, vulnerability, current regulations, management considerations and research requirements. Each profile is intended to be an up to date summary of what is currently known about the species in order to help users, managers and scientists to determine effective management plans, to ensure the future conservation and sustainable use of each species. The profiles are also intended to highlight the research needed to support the effective management of southern Africa's marine line fish resources.

FISH FOUND IN SOUTHERN AFRICAN WATERS: