Aquaculture

The total production of South Africa's aquaculture industry (excluding sea weed, carp, ornamentals and koi carp) in 2013 was 4 802.11 tons with the marine aquaculture industry accounting for 2 985.70 tons and the freshwater aquaculture industry accounting for 1 816.41 tons. The sector has increased the total production by 875.22 tons, which is an increase of 18.22% from 2012 data. The sector has demonstrated a grow rate of 8.7% from 2005 to 2013.South Africa's total marine aquaculture production increased by 724.47 tons from 2012-2013, which is an increase of 30.04%. The abalone, mussels, oysters and nsh sub-sectors recorded increases in production of 358.37 tons (32.25%), 256.37 tons (29.82%), 35.65 tons (14.75%) and 74.09 tons (152.90%) respectively.

Kob2 Abalone2 Abalone

Aquaculture at the East London IDZ

The East London Industrial Development Zone has a production capacity of between 7000 and 10 000 tons of fish per annum and existing government authorisation for activities such as hatcheries and grow-out facilities for local marine species and a centralised fish processing establishment. In the 2013/14 the ELIDZ board approved 3 new investors for the zone’s aquaculture sector. All of these investors are looking at farming kob.

Additionally, as part of its investment facilitation value offering, the ELIDZ was able to secure over R33 million for one of these investors from the Department of Trade and Industry SEZ fund to assist in putting up a building structure for the enterprise on condition that the investor would secure its own funding for equipment and stock.

As part of its efforts to grow this sector, the ELIDZ has finalised its Tilapia bio plan. The plan will allow the ELIDZ to venture into the fresh-water environment and attract interested investors in this regard. The ELIDZ has also concluded its plan for an aquaculture business incubator. The plan is aimed at eradicating the likelihood of failure in new enterprises which will in turn increase the availability of relevant skills and bring predictability to investors. The ELIDZ is in close proximity to a world class best practice research facility (Rhodes University).

Success stories

Oceanwise, based at the ELIDZ, is the Industry Leader for land-based marine aquaculture in South Africa. Approved by the WWF-SASSI, Oceanwise has been farming sustainable, top quality dusky cob (kabeljou) since 2012, with over 400 tonnes produced to date for the premium local and export markets.

Download the Oceanwise brochure here.

Pure Ocean East London is a company engaged in the development of 5,000 ton land based marine finfish recirculating aquaculture system (RAS). Dusky Cob (Argyrosomus japonicus) will be farmed here. Both operations will deliver fish at an estimated size of 2,5 kilograms and the product will be marketed in both, the local and international markets in its fresh and frozen form.

Business opportunities

The establishment of marine fin fish hatcheries
The establishment of marine fin fish grow out facilities
The establishment of a research facility for the development and propagation of new species for
farming
The establishment of a research facility for the development of alternative supplies of fishmeal
for marine fin fish
The establishment of a research facility for the development of bio-fuels from the by-products of
the re-circulatory marine fin fish farming processes
The establishment of an internationally accredited processing facility for fish and fish products.
Research into the possibility of sea-based aquaculture projects for relevant species

Innovation and research

The ELIDZ is in close proximity to the world class Rhodes University which houses the Department of Ichthyology & Fisheries Science.

Incentives

Aquaculture Development and Enhancement Programme (ADEP)

Useful documents

Aquaculture Yearbook 2014

Contact details

East London IDZ

Mr. Ntobeko Bacela

Sector Manager: Aquaculture

Email: ntobeko@elidz.co.za

Tel: +27 43 702 8213

Cell: + 27 82 459 3412