MARITIME REVIEW AFRICA
NEWS ROUND-UP JUNE 2019
PEOPLE & EVENTS
Celebrating innovation and excellence in the boat building sector SOUTH AFRICA: Industry stakeholders and representatives from local as well as national government celebrated innovation and excellence in the leisure boat building sector at an event hosted by the South African Boat Builders Export Council (SABBEX). More than 200 guests converged at SABBEX’s Legends and Trailblazers event that aimed to honour those that have been instrumental in helping to elevate South Africa’s status in the leisure boat and yacht market, where Cape Town ranks as the second largest builder of catamarans in the world. Speaking at the event, Alderman James Voss, the City’s Executive Head of Economic Opportunities and Asset Management, reiterated the City of Cape Town’s intention to support further growth in the sector and consolidate the city’s reputation as the boat building destination
in the country. “We will be exploring more opportunities in the boat building sector to position ourselves as global leaders,” he told guests. Wesgro’s CEO, Tim Harris, was also enthusiastic about the potential of the sector for the region, highlighting that the export of catamarans in 2018 had delivered R32billion in export revenue. Acknowledging the award winners on the night, he however emphasised that the success of the sector importantly contributed to the stability of employment of those at the shipyards as well as the potential of new jobs for the region. But the event was about honouring those in the sector who have achieved excellence to help boost the country’s reputation on the world stage – and on whose legacy the sector can leverage further growth.
GREEN MARINE
Environmental group calls on West Africa to address fishmeal industry Fishmeal industry stealing regional food and livelihoods in West Africa DAKAR: Reacting to a report on the fishmeal industry last week, Environmental Group, Greenpeace is calling on West African governments to immediately phase out the fishmeal and fish oil industry which they believe is impacting on food security and livelihoods of local people in the region. The report, entitled ‘A waste of fish: Food security under threat from the fishmeal and fish oil industry in West Africa’, raises strong concerns about the expanding FMFO industry in Mauritania, Senegal and The Gambia. All three species of fish used for FMFO are essential for food security, and already overexploited. “We’re losing hundreds of thousands of tonnes of edible fish to fishmeal and fish oil exports, potentially impacting 40 million
African consumers. West African governments must protect regional fish stocks and put the food security rights of their citizens first, by quickly decreasing the amount of fish going into fishmeal production,” said Dr Ibrahima Cisse, Oceans Campaign Manager for Greenpeace Africa. “Decades of overfishing and government inaction have degraded regional fish stocks. Now the fishmeal industry is aggravating the problem to a critical level; taking fish from people’s plates to feed fish farms, pigs or poultry in faraway markets. Catches that could be made by artisanal fishermen and the women who process them – which could feed low income families – is exported to be used as animal feed. It makes no sense.” Greenpeace has found 50 operational FMFO factories in the region, 40 of which were active in March 2019. The majority of West African FMFO is destined for overseas
According to SABBEX’s Vanessa Davidson, the industry body received a wealth of quality nominations for both the Legends and Trailblazer award categories and it was a challenge to narrow it down to only a handful of winners in each. On hand to present the awards, Dumisani Ntuli, acting DDG Maritime Transport within the Department of Transport, helped validate the importance of the sector to national markets, largely Asia and the EU. Exports of FMFO from Mauritania have doubled between 2014 and 2018, making this country now the largest exporter of fishmeal and fish oil in the region. In 2017, it was estimated that nearly 550,000 tonnes of pelagic fish were harvested to supply FMFO processing plants in Mauritania. The growing FMFO industry is not only threatening regional fish stocks but affecting livelihoods and food security. About 80 % of fish landings in Senegal come from the artisanal sector, and fish provides around 70% of the population’s animal protein needs, and over 50% of protein needs in The Gambia. [4][5] Greenpeace Africa calls on West African governments and companies to face their responsibilities in the much-needed protection of regional fish stocks, as well as prioritise basic human rights: food security and the livelihoods of artisanal fishermen and women processors. “We have to put fish back on people’s tables, before satisfying industrial farming,” said Dr Cisse.
government. Walking away as Legends on the night were: Jeff Stevens of Gemini Fuad Jacobs of Jacobs Bros Tich Mitchell of Sparcraft Masts Duncan Lethbridge of St Francis Catamarans John Robertson of Robertson and Caine Trailblazers in the industry were identified as: Alex Simonis of Simonis Voogd Yacht Designers Anton du Toit of Du Toit Yacht Designs Greg Walters of Gaw Marine Mark Delany of 2 Oceans Manufacturing Carl Martin of Draco Sailing Hardware And just as the applause was beginning to die down, Davidson announced a surprise addition to the list by calling on Bruce Tedder, the Chairman of the SABBEX board who was given deserved recognition for his dedicated work to promote South Africa’s reputation via the SABBEX platform. Adding flavour to the evening, internationally renowned sailor, Skip Novak provided the keynote address that highlighted his deep connections with the country and South Africans. He noted, however, that more investment in infrastructure to support the mooring and lay-up of yachts and superyachts in Cape Town would go a long way to attracting even more opportunities for the sector.
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