The KwaZulu Natal government is embarking on a massive programme to unlock the economic potential of its aquaculture industry.
MEC for Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs, Sihle Zikalala, said the province was already poised to take advantage of the blue economy and fish farming could be seen as a subset that complemented the ocean economy.
"With the right support we have no doubt that fish farming has the potential to give a huge shot in the arm to our emerging entrepreneurs, particularly given the rising demand for fish in the face of declining stocks in the ocean and fresh water resources in the world," he said, noting that KZN had suitable environmental conditions for aquaculture and for commercial production of a number of fish species.
Zikala said his department had already piloted a number of aquaculture support projects in the province in the past. "This was on a limited small scale and the lack of best practice has seen the industry not growing to the level we would like it to be. We have therefore decided to put more effort into this industry which has the potential to grow the economy and create jobs.”
He said he was working with Trade and Investment KwaZulu Natal (TIKZN) to analyse the full value chain and to package investment opportunities.
