REELING IN THE PROFITS

REELING IN THE PROFITS

“Our local fisher communities rely on the oceans for their livelihood. The fishing sector is also a significant contributor to food security and the economy. Stabilising the sub-sector through the allocation of longer-term fishing rights is critical to attracting investment into the industry,” said the Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE), Barbara Creecy in May, at her department’s budget vote for 2021/2022.

In 2005 and 2013, the state awarded 12 fishing sectors with long-term commercial fishing rights, rights which extended to 2020 and need reallocation. The reallocation was delayed due to various factors, including COVID-19, with a new timeline set between July and November of 2021.

“The FRAP 2021 [Fishing Rights Allocation Process] is committed to allocating resources in a sustainable manner for future generations while also attempting to balance the competing requirements of broadening access, particularly by marginalised groups and small, medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs), balancing government’s priorities of transforming the sector but also ensuring the global competitiveness of South Africa’s fishing sector,” said the DFFE in their release of their updated timeline.

South Africans consume 312 million kilograms of seafood each year, half of which is sourced locally. Total sales (including exports) amounted to R16-billion according to the latest figures, from 2019. 2.7% of total household expenditure was spent on fish-related products, 70% of which was either hake or sardines. Around 28 000 people are employed throughout the industry to meet the demand.

THE BIG FOUR

Hake, squid, small pelagic (sardine, anchovy and round herring) and lobster fisheries are the largest in the country, with almost R10-billion in catch value in total.

93% of anchovy and round herring caught are used for fishmeal and fish oil, and then exported to Europe andeast Asia. Of the canned sardines exported, 12% are for the SADC (Southern African Development Community)market alone.

According to the latest Stats SA figures, from 2019, hake constitutes 31% of caught fish-related products sold, withsquid making up 22.9% of sales. The catch from small pelagic fisheries contributes 13.8% and rock lobster sales(both west and south coast) came to 9.8% of total sales.

HAKE DEEP-SEA TRAWL 33 Long-term fishing rights R1.4-billion annual wage bill

More than R4.3-billion in annual hake sales 12 400 jobs, 6 600 direct, and 5800 indirect and induced R760 53 Trawlers 27 freezer trawlers 26 wetfish trawlers

R7.6-billion in investments and R3.8-billion in capital investment since 2005

60% exported, contributing R2.5-billion per year

SQUID123 sea-freezing vessels 2943 employed

R1.55-billion in investments70% of factory and support staff are women annual catch ranges from 6 000 to 11 000 tons

The value of the catch varies from R750-million to R1.4-billion per year) 99% is exported

ROCK LOBSTER R622-million catch value 3175 employees

Average catch of 991 tons per annum

317 vessels 99% of south coast rock lobster exported 95% of west coast rock lobster exported

SMALL PELAGIC FISHERIES

69 purse seine vessels

R3.3-billion investments

5 800 employed, 53% of which are women Average 350 000 tons caught annually R3.3-billion in investment Catch value is R3.2-billion 90% of frozen sardine exported 88% of canned sardine production for local market

SOURCES dffe.gov.za sadstia.co.za fishsa.org statssa.gov.za cliffedekkerhofmeyr.com sanews.gov.za