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Supported by authorities, business and market stakeholders, the SA hake trawl fishery’s MSC standing locations it amongst the most effective managed fisheries on the earth – serving to to keep up its worldwide market presence and ship long-term socio-economic advantages to the South African individuals.
South Africa’s hake trawl fishery is celebrating 16 years of MSC certification following the announcement of its fourth profitable evaluation, on 12 February 2021. To develop into licensed, a fishery should present that the inventory it targets is wholesome, that it minimises its impression on the setting and different species and that it has efficient administration in place.
In 2004 the fishery grew to become the primary hake fishery on the earth, and the second groundfish fishery, to satisfy the globally recognised standard for sustainable fishing set by the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC).
Since its first certification the fishery has seen a number of environmental advantages, together with the rebuilding of shares, reductions in seabird interactions, improved management of bycatch, and larger understanding of benthic impacts, in pursuit of accountable ecosystem-based fisheries administration.
The South African hake trawl business catches roughly 120,000 tons of hake per yr. Round 67% of hake caught is exported and MSC certification is significant to the worldwide competitiveness of the fishery1.
Felix Ratheb, Chairman of the South African Deep-Sea Trawling Business Affiliation (SADSTIA) and Chief Government of Sea Harvest stated: “In northern European international locations like Germany, Holland and Sweden, in addition to in Australia, america and the UK, there’s a excessive diploma of shopper consciousness of seafood sustainability. Clients in these international locations demand seafood merchandise that may be traced to a sustainable supply and that is precisely what our business is ready to ship. MSC certification is significant to our export enterprise and to the success of our fishery.
The truth that the South African hake trawl fishery has retained this prestigious certification for 16 years speaks to an everlasting partnership between business and the Division of Atmosphere, Forestry and Fisheries, the business regulator, and educational establishments just like the College of Cape City.”
A variety of stakeholders have been consulted through the newest evaluation of the fishery, and their enter is mirrored within the certification which additionally units out a sequence of objectives for the fishery to satisfy within the subsequent 5 years.
Sue Middleton, Appearing Deputy Director Normal within the Division of Atmosphere, Forestry and Fisheries (DEFF) commented: “The DEFF’s Fisheries Administration department is without doubt one of the stakeholders concerned within the re-certification of South Africa’s deep-water hake fishery by the MSC. The department is proud to help this certification that promotes sustainable fishing practices in our fishery.”
Trawled hake is South Africa’s most precious business fishery, producing gross sales of R4.5 billion per yr and making a complete annual socio-economic contribution of R6.7 billion. The fishery employs roughly 27,000 South Africans in direct and oblique jobs. Fishing rights are held by 32 companies which range from large, vertically integrated firms, to small- and medium-sized enterprises with diversified operations – together these companies are 66.6% black-owned.
“As a result of it’s sustainably-managed, the hake trawl fishery will proceed to ship advantages to the individuals of South Africa for generations to come back,” concluded Ratheb.
Michael Marriott, MSC Program Supervisor: Africa, Center East and South Asia congratulated the fishery on their re-certification: “Congratulations to the South African hake trawl fishery on their fourth profitable certification towards MSC’s framework for fisheries sustainability. The MSC Customary is commonly up to date to replicate present scientific understanding on what it means to be sustainable, and for 16 years the South African hake trawl fishery has performed a number one position in working with authorities, scientists and NGOs to make sure the long-term way forward for the hake useful resource. They proceed to contribute to analysis and to enhance their operations of their efforts to attain finest observe.”
The Marine Stewardship Council works with fisheries around the globe to fight overfishing, together with the newly licensed Namibian hake fishery – Africa’s second fishery to obtain MSC certification.
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