South Africa’s ocean economy has become a focal point for investment, drawing in over R4 billion, a significant achievement largely bolstered by government initiatives aimed at harnessing the nation’s maritime potential over the past decade, reports Cape {town} Etc.
Speaking at a recent statement, Dr Dion George, the Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, remarked on the immense value of the nation’s oceans, describing them as a ‘national treasure.’
He emphasised the essential role they could play in sustaining families, energising industries and generating employment opportunities for generations to come. ‘If we waste them, we waste our future,’ he cautioned, highlighting the urgent need for sustainable management of this precious resource.
Key estimates from the Oceans Economy Master Plan predict that South Africa’s ocean economy could contribute R166 billion to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and create over 600 000 jobs by 2035.
This ambitious projection pivots on four essential areas: aquaculture, fisheries, coastal tourism, and marine conservation, particularly benefiting coastal provinces grappling with high unemployment rates.
The Operation Phakisa programme, launched by the government in 2014, has been instrumental in unlocking the immense economic potential of South Africa’s maritime environment.
This initiative has propelled aquaculture into the forefront of marine sector activity and employment, setting the stage for innovative growth.
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‘Marine Protected Areas are boosting coastal tourism, from diving to whale watching, while ensuring biodiversity is safeguarded and Marine Spatial Planning is balancing economic activity with ecological care by zoning ocean use for maximum benefit,’ George said.
Significantly, the Fishing for Freedom campaign is revitalising fishing harbours across the coast, creating new employment opportunities in fish processing, boatbuilding, and tourism.
Furthermore, the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment is advancing an inland fisheries policy designed to tackle food security and foster rural enterprise opportunities.
‘Our aquaculture facilities, our harbours and our Marine Protected Areas are all proof that the ocean is not only heritage: it is also industry, tourism, and growth,’ George stated, reinforcing the potential of an ocean economy that thrives on good governance, innovation, and community involvement.
George concluded that, ‘With the right management, our oceans are South Africa’s blue gold. They are a renewable source of jobs, revenue, and resilience. We are committed to unlocking this wealth for the benefit of all South Africans.’
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Picture: Minister Dr. Dion George / Facebook
