Over a decade after experts called for laws to regulate aquaculture, the government has finally submitted the Aquaculture Development Bill to parliament. However, industry players believe the bill is inadequate and does not address the real needs of South Africa’s aquaculture industry or its participants.
Following the appointment of the new minister of forestry, fisheries and the environment (DFFE), Dion George, the department submitted a draft of the Aquaculture Development Bill to the national parliament for approval.
The need for a dedicated legislative framework for aquaculture was recognised as early as the mid-2000s and was formally introduced in 2020.
David Fincham, an independent consultant in the aquaculture sector for over 40 years, criticised the slow development of the bill and urged the DFFE to engage with the industry.
“The Aquaculture Development Bill has taken the best part of 20 years to be put in place. In its current form it should be rejected as it will not serve the needs of the sector, of society, the economy or of the environment,” Fincham said.
A seat at the table
Fincham further noted that there are too few people in the department who understand the needs of the sector.
“In South Africa, within the aquaculture sectors, there are [only] a few hundred true aquaculturists who have the knowledge, skills and experience to design, build and operate a commercial aquaculture facility.”
Fincham believes the country can lay the correct foundations for the industry’s development. He strongly suggested that the government include aquaculturists in the development of bills and legislation.
He said the industry was removed from agriculture, where it should be. He stated that these decisions expose that there are too few people in government who understand aquaculture and its purposes.
“Aquaculture has worked with the government and will continue to do so. We need a voice, a seat at the table and an environment where we can grow, farm our fish and feed our nations and other nations in the region.
“We cannot wait another 20 years, our knowledge, skills and expertise must be passed on to the next generation of farmers,” he said.
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What the bill aims to do
The Aquaculture Development Bill aims to create clear laws for managing and developing aquaculture in South Africa. It covers both marine and freshwater farming, focusing on growing the sector to help with food security, economic growth, and job creation. The bill also seeks to address past inequalities in access to aquaculture opportunities.
The new law will simplify the current complicated rules and make it easier for the sector to be managed efficiently. The government worked closely with industry stakeholders and other government departments during the bill’s creation, taking their feedback into account. After these consultations, the draft bill was approved by the Cabinet on 13 September 2023 and is now open for public comment.
The primary purposes of the draft Bill are to:
- Promote responsible aquaculture development and the responsible development and management of an aquaculture industry;
- Promote coordination of aquaculture research and development activities;
- Ensure efficient and effective regulation of the aquaculture industry;
- Promote the transformation of the aquaculture industry;
- Promote investment into the aquaculture sector;
- Promote aquaculture as a farming activity; and
- Make provision for appropriate support services.
Mentorship and resources needed
Marvellous Makhado, small-scale aquaculturist based in Tshaulu, Limpopo said he needs support in the form of building materials, feed, and chemicals.
He also mentioned that the government should set up mentorship programmes and help with sharing knowledge in the industry.
“As a young fish farmer, there’s a lot of demand in running this business and most of it requires money. I recently wanted to expand my dams but I haven’t been able to do so because of lack of funds.
“[We] need mentorship from other successful and experienced farmers,’’ he shared, mirroring Fincham’s sentiments.
“We urge the two new ministers of the department of forestry, fisheries and the environment to engage with the sector, listen to our concerns and needs and give us a seat at the table.”
Fincham noted that almost a third of the world’s population is reliant on fish as their main source of animal protein.
Much of the fish is wild-caught, and the rest is farmed. He said mainly tilapia coined as “Africa’s miracle fish”, carp, and catfish are farmed in South Africa.
“Real groundwork needs to happen; we cannot be waiting for pieces of paper and rubber stamps. People’s jobs, food security and livelihoods are at stake,” expressed Fincham.
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