As usual, things are moving along at a brisk pace in the fishing industry. First of all congratulations are due to Oceana on the occasion of their 90th anniversary on 30 July. A brief history of the company appears on page 5, followed by a few words from the CEO, Andrew Marshall.

Abalone feature in a big way in this issue, the reasons for which are many and varied. There’s the new aquaculture policy which MCM has been working on in terms of marine ranching and stock enhancement. They held road shows at the major centres recently to explain their policy workings, and also to invite comment and public participation from interested parties, for possible inclusion in the final document. Following on from that, completely independently, the Abalone Farmers Association of South Africa (AFASA) applied for and has been granted an SABS standard for cultured Abalone that will ensure that harvesting of live Abalone only takes place from aquaculture facilities that have been monitored in accordance with the SAMSM&CP (South African Molluscan Shellfish Monitoring and Control Programme), according to Wayne Barnes, CEO of AFASA. The standard covers the harvesting, preparation, packing, conveyance and quality of live aquaculture abalone. It also sets out hygiene requirements for the product and for the packing facility employees in considerable detail. This will serve as a guarantee of quality to international buyers.

It’s a small world, the fishing industry, and there are a couple of interviews with people who will be familiar. Learn a little more about Dr Sam Petersen, well known to fishermen who have attended the WWF Responsible Fisheries Programme, and meet a colleague who has worked many years for both I&J and Sea Harvest, the current WWF Champion Skipper, Louis Coetzee. Why is he a champion? Turn to page 15 to find out.

There are several local events mentioned that you may want to take note of: The International Seabird Conference, the Knysna Oyster Festival, the Cape Town Boat Show, and the new Shark Centre in Kalk Bay. And a particularly well-received idea from the South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI) and WWF is the Reef Atlas Project, where it is hoped that divers will help map South Africa’s reefs by taking photographs and sending them in with co-ordinates for eventual publication. Judging by the enthusiasm from the diving fraternity present at the launch, there won’t be any problem enlisting support.

There’ll be something to capture your interest in this month’s Fishing Industry News. And if there’s anything you’d like to be informed about, or disagree with, please write in and let us know.

Editor
 

Cover Story

The surrounding mountain scenery makes Hout Bay’s harbour one of the most attractive in the Cape. Populated by the Khoi San and Hottentots since the Stone Age, ‘modern man’ discovered the well-wooded slopes in the 17th century, hence the name Hout (wood) Bay. It didn’t take long to discover that the sea here was rich in fish and crayfish, and in the 19th century a fishing industry was developed for overseas export. The industry has expanded along with the harbour and this heritage is preserved to the present day.