Fisheries and the ocean economy

Our oceans cover nearly three-quarters of the earth’s surface, and produce more than half the oxygen in the atmosphere. Some 97% of our water is here. It is a major influence on weather systems and home of a vast array of marine life – from whales to phytoplankton. Over 3 billion people depend on fish as part of their diet, and one in ten people rely on the fishing industry to make a living (FAO, 2017).

This chapter is in the “Issues” section for a simple reason: our oceans are in crisis. They have been mismanaged, or at best, not been managed at all, having been overfished and altered by pollution.

The 14th of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) initiated by UN member states is to “Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development” (UN, 2015).

Measures that will turn the tide, so to speak, include:

The setting of quotas on the amount of fish caught. Fish stocks are being taken from the oceans at unsustainable levels (Kituyi & Thomson, 2018).
Adopting measures to combat illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing. It reduces fish stocks, lowers local catches and harms the marine environment.
Establishing networks of marine parks/ocean sanctuaries in which/near which activities like building and mining are prohibited.

Find updates on progress (or lack thereof) in the articles under the “Websites and publications” heading.

International business environment
Local business environment
Small-scale fisheries
National strategy and government contacts
Associations involved
Training and research
Companies involved
Websites and publications

Take a minute to think about the oceans

International business environment

About two-thirds of the world’s oceans lie beyond national jurisdiction. As of 2022, despite two decades of negotiations there is still no treaty protecting these international waters. The UN Convention on the Law of the Sea lays out the rules of how far out a nation’s zone of influence extends beyond its shores.

The African Fisheries Expert Network (Afri-Fishnet) is “a network of fisheries experts in Africa who are there to provide knowledge support and evidence-based policy recommendations to policy makers. It is a continental think-tank which uses the NEPAD/CAADP platform to influence policy reform in various African countries”. See www.afri-fishnet.org.
The Benguela Current Commission is a multi-sectoral inter-governmental initiative of Angola, Namibia and South Africa. See www.benguelacc.org.
United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Clean Seas Campaign on Marine Litter www.cleanseas.org
Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR) www.ccamlr.org
The Committee on Fisheries (COFI) exists as a subsidiary body of the FAO (see below).
CTA – Find the “Fisheries” option at http://agritrade.cta.int
Deep Sea Conservation Coalition www.savethehighseas.org
Find both “Aquaculture” and “Fisheries” under the themes option at www.fao.org, website of the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO). http://www.fao.org/fisheries/en/ Download the “State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture (SOFIA) 2016” by the FAO at www.fao.org/3/a-i5555e.pdf
Fishing News International – www.intrafish.com/fisheries/
GLOBAL DIALOGUE on Seafood Traceability https://traceability-dialogue.org/
Greenpeace International www.greenpeace.org
Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) – www.iora.net/en
International Association of Fish Inspectors (IAFI) – www.iafi.net/
The International Maritime Organization is a specialised agency of the United Nations responsible for regulating shipping. See www.imo.org.
International Ocean Institute – www.ioinst.org
Marine Stewardship Council www.msc.org Certifying sustainable fishing
Find information on the Pan-African Fisheries and Aquaculture Policy Framework and Reform Strategy on the internet.
Read about Regional fisheries management organisations (RFMOs) at https://ec.europa.eu/fisheries/cfp/international/rfmo_en
The Rockefeller Foundation runs an Oceans & Fisheries initiative. See www.rockefellerfoundation.org/our-work/initiatives/oceans-fisheries/
South East Atlantic Fisheries Organization (SEAFO) www.seafo.org/
Find the “One planet one ocean” option at www.unesco.org, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) website
Find World Economic Forum reports like Ending Illegal Fishing: Data Policy and the Port State Measures Agreement at www.weforum.org..
WorldFish is an international, nonprofit research organization that harnesses the potential of fisheries and aquaculture to reduce hunger and poverty – www.worldfishcenter.org

Find the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) at www.un.org/depts/los/convention_agreements/texts/unclos/unclos_e.pdf. Further information can be read at www.un.org/depts/los/convention_agreements/convention_overview_convention.htm

The UN Agreement for the Implementation of the Provisions of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (1982) relating to the Conservation and Management of Straddling Fish Stocks and Highly Migratory Fish Stocks sets out principles for the conservation and management of those fish stocks and establishes that such management must be based on the precautionary approach and the best available scientific information. The Agreement elaborates on the fundamental principle, established in the Convention, that States should cooperate to ensure conservation and promote the objective of the optimum utilization of fisheries resources both within and beyond the exclusive economic zone. Read more at www.un.org/depts/los/convention_agreements/convention_overview_fish_stocks.htm.

Africa

The African Union declared 2015 to 2025 as the Decade of African Seas and Oceans, and the blue economy is now officially referred to as the new frontier of Africa’s Renaissance.

Some articles …

Okafor-Yarwood I. 2022, February 15. “African countries must protect their fish stocks from the European Union – here’s how”. The Conversation. Available at https://theconversation.com/african-countries-must-protect-their-fish-stocks-from-the-european-union-heres-how-177095
Okafor-Yarwood I. & Allison E. 2021, November 19. “African marine rules favour big industry, leaving small-scale fishers in the lurch”. The Conversation. Available at https://theconversation.com/african-marine-rules-favour-big-industry-leaving-small-scale-fishers-in-the-lurch-171829
Donnenfeld Z. 2020, January 7. “Over-exploitation of Africa’s fisheries: Not enough fish in the sea”. Daily Maverick. Available at www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2020-01-07-over-exploitation-of-africas-fisheries-not-enough-fish-in-the-sea/
Reuters. 2018, November 27. “African fishing communities face ‘extinction’ as blue economy grows – experts”. Engineering News. Available at www.engineeringnews.co.za/article/african-fishing-communities-face-extinction-as-blue-economy-grows-experts-2018-11-27
Jarrett M.B. 2017, June 7. “Millions of Africans depend on fishing. We must stop the plunder of their oceans”. World Economic Forum. Available at www.weforum.org/agenda/2017/06/all-hands-on-deck-why-africa-must-stop-plunder-of-its-fisheries/
FAO. 2016. “The Value of African Fisheries”. Available at www.fao.org/3/a-i3917e.pdf Earnings could be eight times higher.
Find the 2016 report by the Overseas Development Institute (ODI) “Western Africa’s missing fish: the impacts of illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing and under-reporting catches by foreign fleets” at www.odi.org.

South Africa: imports and exports

The Fish SA brochure “Fishing for a sustainable and equitable future” at http://fishsa.org provides overviews of this industry’s exports.

Local business environment

The Fish SA brochure “Fishing for a sustainable and equitable future” at http://fishsa.org provides overviews of this industry. It looks at South Africa’s export markets, and then zooms in on squid, hake, Cape horse mackerel, lobster and other species through the lens of the different affiliate associations of Fish SA.

In June 2019, South Africa declared a network of 20 new representative Operation Phakisa: Oceans Economy Marine Protected Areas (MPAs). The new MPAs increases the spatial protection of South Africa’s ocean environment from the current 0.4% to 5.4% and provide a measure of protection to 90% of marine habitat types within the South African Exclusive Economic Zone. They represent seamounts, submarine canyons, volcanic pinnacles, and a variety of ecosystem types on the shelf, continental margin, and abyss in both the Indian and Atlantic oceans.

Poaching, specifically of rock lobster and abalone, remains a threat.

Small-scale fisheries

Livelihoods and food security in South Africa’s coastal provinces are intimately connected to small-scale fisheries. How does one balance restorative justice for communities discriminated against before 1994, be fair to established fishing companies and keep in mind sustainability levels? The Policy for the Small-Scale Fisheries Sector in South Africa (SSF policy) and the Marine Living Resources Act (MLRA) and its Amendment Act provide the framework to achieve transformation whilst looking after the country’s marine resources.

The then Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DALRRD) is also is implementing Aquaculture Development Zones (ADZs) to assist in creating an enabling environment for a small scale aquaculture model and transformation strategy. Authorisations have been received for the first three, at Saldanha Bay in the Western Cape, and Qolora and Coega in the Eastern Cape (SA News, 2019). Amatikulu in KwaZulu-Natal and Algoa Bay in the Eastern Cape are included in the plans.

ABALOBI, “small-scale fisher” in isiXhosa, is the name given to the mobile app suite which aims to enable small-scale fishing communities to be incorporated into information and resource networks, which include fishery monitoring, maritime safety, local development and market opportunities. Restaurants source a diversity of fish directly from small-scale fishers through the ABALOBI MARKETPLACE app, and this significantly increases a fairer price for fish sold by small-scale fishers. See http://abalobi.info.

Find the FAO’s International Guidelines on Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries [SSF Guidelines] at www.fao.org/fishery/ssf/guidelines/en and watch “FAO Policy Series: Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries” on YouTube.

Greenpeace Africa. 2019. Gutted - the fight of Kalk Bay fishers.

National strategy and government contacts

Operation Phakisa seeks to contribute about R177 billion to the economy by 2030 (compared to R54billion in 2010) and create up to one million jobs by 2030.

The ocean economy project linked to Operation Phakisa focuses on priority potential growth areas such as marine transport and manufacturing, offshore oil and gas exploration, aquaculture as well as marine protection services and ocean governance. These are deemed to have a significant GDP growth and job creation potential.

Further reference:

Find the Parliamentary Monitoring Group‘s accounts “Global Protected Areas & Operation Phakisa Programmes: follow-up briefing; with Minister” (25 February 2022), “Ocean Phakisa Progress: DEFF briefing; with Deputy Minister” (24 November 2020), “Fishing Industry; DEFF response to issues raised by Small-scale and Commercial Fisheries” (27 October 2020), “Commercial Fishing organisations: Fish SA; WWF & AquaCulture” (17 June 2020), “Small-scale fisheries sustainability concerns” (4 June 2020) and “Transformation in the forestry and fisheries sectors; Challenges faced by Forestry and Fisheries branch; with Minister and Deputy Minister” (25 February 2020).
See www.operationphakisa.gov.za. A YouTube video is available at https://youtu.be/lFjkWIjA5zE
Find the document “Operation Phakisa: Unlocking the Economic Potential of South Africa’s Oceans” on the website.

Government role players

Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) www.environment.gov.za Find “Oceans and Coasts” under “Branches” on the website.

Associations involved

Fish South Africa is an umbrella body that includes among its members companies like Premier Fishing, I&J and Ocean Fishing. See www.fishsa.org. Associations affiliated to Fish SA are:

South African Squid Management Industrial Association (SASMIA) https://sapfia.org.za
South Coast Rock Lobster Industry Association (SCRLIA)
West Coast Rock Lobster Association (WCRLA)
South East Coast Inshore Fishing Association (SECIFA)
South African Deep-Sea Trawling Industry Association (SADSTIA) www.sadstia.co.za
South African Hake Longline Association (SAHLLA) www.sahlla.co.za
South African Midwater Trawl Association (SAMTA)
South African Tuna Association (SATA)
Large Pelagic Small Medium & Micro Enterprises Association (LPSMME)
South Africa Tuna Longline Association (SATLA)
South African Patagonian Toothfish Industry Association (SAPTIA)

Other associations:

Endangered Wildlife Trust www.ewt.org.za Included it the EWT activities is the Marine and Coastal Programme (EWT-M&CP)
Masifundise Development Trust http://masifundise.org Promotes the interests of small-scale fisheries and supporting co-operatives
South African Association of Seafood Importers and Exporters (SAASIE) Tel: 021 422 3322
South African Fisheries Development Fund https://fisheriesfund.co.za/en/
Worldwide Fund for Nature South Africa (WWF SA) The oceans and marine life are a major theme for WWF SA. See information under “What we do” at www.wwf.org.za. Read about WWF-SASSI (Southern African Sustainable Seafood Initiative) at wwfsassi.co.za.

Training and research

AgriSETA Tel: 012 301 5600 www.agriseta.co.za Find information on the National Certificate: Fisheries Observation: Inshore and Certificate: Fisheries Observation: Deep Sea on the website.
Bayworld Centre for Research & Education (BCRE) www.bcre.org.za
Durban University of Technology (DUT) Department Maritime Studies Tel: 031 373 2694 www.dut.ac.za/faculty/applied_sciences/maritime_studies/
Nelson Mandela University (NMU) Institute for Coastal and Marine Research Tel: 041 504 2852 http://cmr.mandela.ac.za/
Rhodes University Department of Ichthyology and Fisheries Science (DIFS) Tel: 046 603 8415/6 difs [at] ru.ac.za www.ru.ac.za/ichthyology
The South African Association for Marine Biological Research (SAAMBR) incorporates uShaka Sea World, uShaka Sea World Education and the Oceanographic Research Institute. Contact them at 031 328 8222, or visit www.saambr.org.za.
The South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity (SAIAB) Tel: 046 603 5800 www.saiab.ac.za SAIAB is a Research Facility of the National Research Foundation (NRF)
The South African Network for Coastal and Oceanic Research (SANCOR) is a consultative, communicative and advisory body that represents institutions and scientists from different provinces and disciplines. Visit http://sancor.nrf.ac.za.
The South African Research Chair in the Law of the Sea and Development in Africa is hosted by the Nelson Mandela University, funded by the Department of Science and Technology and managed by the National Research Foundation. See http://lawofthesea.mandela.ac.za.
University of the Western Cape (UWC) International Ocean Institute Southern Africa Tel: 021 959 2301 www.uwc.ac.za and www.ioinst.org IOI-SA develops and offers capacity building and research programs that improve the sustainable livelihoods of poor and underprivileged people living in coastal areas. It falls under the Biodiversity and Conservation Biology department.

Companies involved

Abagold www.abagold.com Abalone producers
African Pioneer Marine https://africanpioneergroup.co.za/african-pioneer-marine-2/
Alnet www.alnet.co.za Fish nets and other equipment
AquaEco www.aquaeco.co.za Aquaculture and environmental services: planning, technical guidance, impact assessments, statutory approvals and … sustainability
AquaFarm 028 312 4513 Seafood Wholesaler
CapFish www.capfish.co.za International marine monitoring and fisheries consulting group
Combined Fishing Enterprises www.comfish.co.za A fishing company
Eastern Cape Development Corporation (ECDC) www.ecdc.co.za Aquaculture is one of the sectors targeted to increase foreign and local direct investment in the Eastern Cape.
Enviro-fish Africa http://envirofishafrica.co.za.plesk5.glodns.net/index.php?pid=1 Consulting company
Feike natural resource management advisors www.feike.co.za
Goldmann Engineering http://afrigol.com Processing and packaging equipment
Gordon’s Bay Fisheries www.capefreshfish.co.za Fish distributors
Irvin & Johnson www.ij.co.za A fishing company
Kaytrad www.kaytrad.co.za Fish merchants
Marel http://marel.co.za Fish processing equipment and systems
Oceana Group http://oceana.co.za/
Path Plastics Co www.pathplastics.co.za Products include a range of fish bins, pallets, insulated bulk bins, containers etc.
Premier Fishing & Brands http://premierfishing.co.za Fishing company
Saldanha Foods South Africa Tel: 0861 083 126 www.saldanha.co.za
Sea Harvest www.seaharvest.co.za Fishing and food business
TerraSan www.terrasan.co.za Holds investments in the pelagic fishing,
Umkhonto Development Solutions www.udsol.co.za Help with accessing the different financial incentives from government for Aquaculture Development and Enhancement Programme (ADEP)
Viking Fishing Group www.vikingfishing.co.za A fishing company

Websites and publications

Visit the websites listed earlier on this page.

African Journal of Marine Science. Find issues at www.tandfonline.com/loi/tams20.
Find the notes on marine fish at www.aquarium.co.za/species/.
Call the ARC’s Agricultural Engineering at 012 842 4017 or email iaeinfo [at] arc.agric.za for the leaflets “Agro-processing of Marine Foods (Fish products)”.
Find the WWF SA‘s Oceans facts and futures: Valuing South Africa’s ocean economy and Oceans facts and futures: 2018 Ocean Scorecard at www.wwf.org.za.
Find the latest WWF-SASSI Retailer/ Supplier Participation Scheme report to ensure a sustainable seafood supply chain at www.wwf.org.za.
Contact the Environmental Monitoring Group (EMG) for documents and DVDs like “The Sea Gives Me Hope – Artisanal fishers in changing times (2013, 4 min) – A brief look at some of the issues facing small-scale fishers and their concerns about climate change”. See www.emg.org.za.
Benkenstein, A. 2015. “Achieving an Inclusive Blue Economy for Small-scale Fishers: Recommendations to the South African Parliament”. Governance of Africa’s Resources Programme: Policy Briefing 128. Johannesburg: South African Institute of International Affairs.
Daniels, A., Gutierrez, M., Fanjul G., Guerena, A., Matheson I. and Watkins, K. 2016. Western Africa’s missing fish: the impacts of illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing and under-reporting catches by foreign fleets. London: Overseas Development Institute. Available at www.odi.org/publications/10459-western-africas-missing-fish-impacts-illegal-unreported-and-unregulated-fishing-and-under-reporting
Ocean & Coastal Management journal. See www.journals.elsevier.com/ocean-and-coastal-management
Find details of the annual Fishing Industry Handbook – South Africa, Namibia & Mozambique, and the Maritime Handbook of Southern Africa Fishing Industry Handbook at www.gwarmanpublications.co.za.

Some articles

Find blogs on Agribook.Digital like “June 5: A new marker” and “The value of the African fish”.
Petrik L. & Ojemaye C. 2022, May 29. “Marine life in a South African bay is full of chemical pollutants”. The Conversation. Available at https://theconversation.com/marine-life-in-a-south-african-bay-is-full-of-chemical-pollutants-182791
Reporter. 2022, April 20. “Unlocking the potential of the oceans economy”. SA News. Available at www.sanews.gov.za/south-africa/unlocking-potential-oceans-economy
Reporter. 2021, December 13. “Government accepts recommendations for West Coast Rock Lobster fishery”. SA News. Available at www.sanews.gov.za/south-africa/government-accepts-recommendations-west-coast-rock-lobster-fishery
Rice W. 2021, November 21. “How South Africa can get communities involved in conserving coastal and marine areas”. The Conversation. Available at https://theconversation.com/how-south-africa-can-get-communities-involved-in-conserving-coastal-and-marine-areas-170294
Majola G. 2021, June 17. “Trust asks SA to extend protection of the ocean”. IOL. Available at www.iol.co.za/business-report/economy/trust-asks-sa-to-extend-protection-of-the-ocean-04f4a28c-6901-4cd5-aee2-b7f971c3218b
Fisher S. 2021, May 10. “Black gold: A fresh approach needed to tackle SA’s illegal abalone trade”. Eye Witness News. Available at https://ewn.co.za/2021/05/10/black-gold-a-fresh-approach-needed-to-tackle-sa-s-illegal-abalone-trade
Fisher S. 2021, March 23. “Shell games: Unravelling the complex web around abalone poaching”. Eye Witness News. Available at https://ewn.co.za/2021/03/23/shell-games-unravelling-the-complex-web-around-abalone-poaching
Burger S. 2021, January 18. “DEFF issues yellow alert for harmful West Coast red tide, partners prepare for red alert”. Engineering News. Available at www.engineeringnews.co.za/article/deff-issues-yellow-alert-for-harmful-west-coast-red-tide-partners-prepare-for-red-alert-2021-01-18
Mabuza L. 2020, August 7. “OPINION: To turn SA into a maritime powerhouse will require more women to participate”. Business Report. Available at www.iol.co.za/business-report/opinion/opinion-to-turn-sa-into-a-maritime-powerhouse-will-require-more-women-to-participate-dc7e7d4c-4b28-461d-943a-26a7c81df1e8
Arnoldi, M. 2019, May 27. “DEA declares 20 marine protected areas”. Engineering News. Available at www.engineeringnews.co.za/article/dea-declares-20-marine-protected-areas-2019-05-27
Reporter. 2019, April 9. “SA makes its mark in fisheries economy”. SA News. Available at www.sanews.gov.za/south-africa/sa-makes-its-mark-fisheries-economy
Booysens, J. 2019, March 8. “SA deep-sea trawling companies losing just 10% fishing quota spells catastrophe”. Business Report. Available at www.iol.co.za/business-report/companies/sa-deep-sea-trawling-companies-losing-just-10-fishing-quota-spells-catastrophe-19736949
Reporter. 2018, September 28. “History made as SA’s first small-scale fisheries co-ops launched”. SA News. Available at www.sanews.gov.za/south-africa/history-made-sa%E2%80%99s-first-small-scale-fisheries-co-ops-launched
Harvey, K. 2018, July 8. “Community’s dedication helps turtles thrive”. Farmer’s Weekly. Available at www.farmersweekly.co.za/animals/game-and-wildlife/community-dedication-helps-turtles-thrive
Molewa E. 2018, June 24. “Healthy oceans mean a healthy marine economy, which SA sorely needs”. Business Day. Available at www.businesslive.co.za/bd/opinion/2018-06-24-edna-molewa-healthy-oceans-mean-a-healthy-marine-economy-which-sa-sorely-needs/
Reporter. 2017, April 13. “Keeping track of fish from sea to plate to keep illegally caught fish off store shelves”. BIZCommunity. Available at www.bizcommunity.com/Article/196/520/160515.html
Dodds, C. 2017, February 14. “Lobster crash erodes West Coast way of life”. Bizcommunity. Available at www.bizcommunity.com/Article/196/628/157628.html

INTERNATIONAL

Find the latest The Sustainable Development Goals Report which measure progress in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030. SDG 14 is Life below water.
Read about the Port State Measures, a binding international law and “one of the most efficient – and cost effective – ways to fight IUU fishing”, at www.fao.org/news/story/en/item/417286/icode/.
The Eco Friendly Ocean Guide: Ways to Sustain Oceans and Sealife – “Here are some of the key things that you need to know about ocean sustainability and how you can help”.
Read Greenpeace reports like (December 2019) In Hot Water: The Climate Crisis and the Urgent Need for Ocean Protection.
Watch the FAO video “Take a minute to think about the oceans”.
See also the earlier “International business environment” heading.