In 2004 capture fisheries and aquaculture supplied the world with about 106 million tonnes of fresh fish. Of this total, aquaculture accounted for 43% and estimates suggest that in 2005 total world fishery production reached almost 142 million tonnes.

"We could see the end of commercial fishing by the middle of the Century unless alternatives such as aquaculture are developed, said Minister Marthinus van Schalkwyk at the opening of I&J's fin fish hatchery in Gansbaai earlier this month.”

Continuing he said: "given the context of line fish in South Africa with at least 15 species having collapsed (including white steenbras, galjoen, silver cob, red steenbras, red stumpnose, dusky cob and geelbek), alternatives such as line fish farming become important to consider."

It is estimated that the fin fish farm will produce about 1000 tons within the first year valued at R30 p/kg. Approximately 100 jobs are secured and the fin fish farm is expected to supply SMMEs with fish. Read more about this development on page 15.

Fishing Industry News SA received an excellent response to the article about MCM's new MAST system. We were asked to provide examples of why so many people are disapproving of MAST and the general state of affairs at MCM which we have done so in this issue, but let it also be said that reading between the lines you should make up your own mind about whether it has become more of a "people" problem rather than a "system" problem.

We draw your attention to the issue of substance abuse on board vessels. Apart from it being illegal, being drunk or "high" could put the entire crew at risk. Drug abusers don't necessarily come from the ranks of the derelict and unemployed, apparently about 70% are in the active workforce and substance abuse is on the rise. See the article on page 12 to find out how to spot whether there is a drug problem on board and what you can do about it.

In our recent reader survey we were asked to provide more articles about the lives of skippers. Pat Less has spent most of his life at sea and he speaks freely about the trials and tribulations of his career in the fishing industry.

The Southern African Sustainable Seafood Initiative (SASSI) has made quite a lot of progress in some quarters since it was launched last year. However the fishing industry is a little slow to realise that it needs to take responsibility for its future. WWF and Birdlife SA, motivating for the implementation of an ecosystem approach to fisheries, recently launched a new report which for the first time assesses the impact of longline fishing on vulnerable species of seabirds, sharks and sea turtles.

In conclusion the fish processing section includes an interesting article on improving the cold chain. More and more fresh fish (mainly tuna) is being shipped rather than flown which opens new markets for local exporters. Don’t miss the boat!

Editor.

Cover Story

MFV Allin, built by Tallie Marine for Luzizi Fishing Pty Ltd of St Helena Bay, was a new design built for fuel saving and cost effectiveness. She is a compact freezer vessel which has a very good stability record according to the skipper Kiewiet Oosthuizen who previously operated a 37.5 metre steel hull vessel.
Accommodating 19 crew, the 227 grt MFV Allin operates in water of up to 600m deep and is fitted with a Caterpillar 3508 main engine with a pitch propeller and shaft alternator; two Caterpillar 150kVA and 250kVA gensets; three blast freezers, and a holding room. There is capacity for 80 tons of frozen fish. Deck gear consists of two 20 ton trawl winches, two Gilson winches and one net storage winch. Fresh water capacity is 35 tons and fuel capacity is 60 000 litres.