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The Department of Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs (EDTEA) in KwaZulu-Natal, is embarking on a massive programme to unlock the economic potential of its aquaculture industry.
 
As part of this programme, a high powered delegation led by the MEC for Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs, Mr Sihle Zikalala and Trade and Investment KwaZulu-Natal CEO, Mr Neville Matjie, today visited the Birkat Ghalioum Fish Farming Project in Egypt.
 
This visit to the project, which counts as one of the most ambitious projects in Egypt's aquaculture sector, is aimed at learning more about that country's highly lucrative fish farming sector.
 
Speaking after visiting the mega farming project, Mr Zikalala said: “This visit has been an eye opener. We envision exactly this type of approach in KwaZulu-Natal as we seek to grow our aquaculture sector.  Aquaculture has been practiced for decades in Egypt which has made this country the largest fish producer in Africa," the MEC said.
Mr Zikalala added that  the province was already poised to take advantage of the blue economy and fish farming could be seen as a subset that complimented the ocean economy.
 
"With the right support, we are doubtless 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.
 
KwaZulu-Natal has suitable environmental conditions for aquaculture and for commercial production of a number of fish species.
The MEC added that his department had in the past already piloted a number of aquaculture support projects in the province.
 
"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 efforts into this industry which has a potential to grow the economy and create jobs.  TIKZN's support is intended to analyse the full value chain and to package investment opportunities for the attraction of investors that can grow the commercial aspect if the industry.”
 
The Birkat Ghalioum Fish Farming Project is owned by the Egyptian government and is the largest in Africa and the Middle East.
The Egyptian Ministry of Fisheries has made commitment to provide technical support to KwaZulu-Natal.
"Our department has all the expertise you need and we are willing to provide it to you.  We have been providing support for this industry for over 30 years," said Dr Mona Mehrez, the Deputy minister of Fisheries.

Issued by The Ministry of Economic Development, Tourism And Environmental Affairs in KwaZulu-Natal