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Date
: 21/02/2003
Source: Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism
Title: Moosa: Launch of the building of three fishing patrol
vessels
SPEECH BY THE MINISTER OF ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS AND TOURISM,
MOHAMMED VALLI MOOSA, AT THE LAUNCH OF THE BUILDING OF THREE
FISHING PATROL VESSELS, 21 February 2003
Programme director, Mr Sam Montsi, Mr van der Calseyde,
distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen.
It gives me great pleasure to be here at the launch of the first of
three 47-metre fishery and environmental protection vessels, which
constitutes a major step in the Department's programme to
effectively manage South Africa's living marine resources and to
increase its capacity to protect the marine environment from the
effects of pollution at sea.
It is also significant that the three vessels will be constructed
by a majority black-owned company, Farocean Marine Ltd, in
partnership with Damen Shipyards of the Netherlands. This
partnership marks one of South Africa's success stories in black
economic empowerment and demonstrates, once again, government's
commitment to the empowerment of the previously marginalised so as
balance economic distribution in the country.
This is indeed a milestone for South Africa's shipbuilding
industry, opening previously closed doors and creating much-needed
job opportunities for our people. This contract, I have been
informed, will lead to Farocean Marine doubling its workforce to
some 250 employees.
The commissioning of these new and refurbished workshops also
constitutes a significant development in the South African
shipbuilding industry and a major boost for the industry in the
Western Cape. Mr Montsi has outlined the benefits that will accrue
from this major commitment, both to Farocean Marine and the local
shipbuilding industry. It is gratifying to note that the
opportunities created by their recent activities were seized upon
to make a long-term investment in an industry that is fiercely
competitive and reflects well on their commitment to this
industry.
Equally important, is the relationship that has developed over the
years between Farocean Marine and Damen Shipyards. It is a
relationship that holds considerable potential for the shipbuilding
industry through the transfer of technology and skills, and the
creation of direct and indirect employment through the building of
Damen designed vessels in Cape Town.
Before I speak on the vessels, it is perhaps important to outline
the environment in which they will work.
The South African coastline is approximately 3200 kilometres in
extent, creating an Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) in excess of 1
million square kilometres. Within this EEZ, South Africa is blessed
with substantial living marine resources and a coastline that
offers enormous benefits for the tourism industry. The protection
of these living resources and our marine environment is thus of
great importance to the well being of our economy and their long
term protection and development enjoy a very high priority within
my department.
The commercial and recreational fisheries play a significant role
in the South African economy, particularly in the Western Cape.
These fisheries range in size from large-scale industrial
activities, such as the pelagic and deep sea trawling sectors, down
to micro-scale activities such as mussel and oyster collection. The
annual landed value of the catch is estimated at R3 billion and if
the value added by shore-based processing is included, this figure
rises to nearly R4,5 billion. Direct employment for some 28 000
persons is created around the coast. In addition to the direct
revenue generated, the fishing industry supports numerous secondary
and tertiary industries. Further to these commercial endeavours,
the recreational fishery plays a significant role in the tourism
industry, coastal development, and the creation of local
employment.
Like most fisheries around the world, illegal fishing, poaching,
over fishing and other irregularities occur within the South
African fishing industry. These activities generate huge profits,
much of which leaves our shores without the knowledge of the
Receiver of Revenue, thus exacerbating the financial cost to the
economy.
The Department views such activities in a serious light and is
fully committed to ensuring the long-term sustainability of our
living marine resources. We have achieved some success in cracking
down on these illegal activities, particularly in the rock lobster
and abalone fisheries. These successes have been achieved with the
assistance of agencies such as the South African Police Service,
the Scorpions, the Defence Force, the National Intelligence Agency
and the Department of Justice. As I said in Parliament earlier this
week, government is determined to win the war against poachers - we
are getting very tough and very dangerous on these criminal
elements in our society.
The procurement of new protection vessels has been a long and
difficult process and was originally started in 1991, when the
responsibility for fishery protection was a provincial rather than
a national government responsibility. A lack of funds prevented the
project from coming to fruition. In 1996, this function was passed
back to my Department and in 1998, protection vessel requirements
were reviewed and the decision was taken to procure a single
offshore vessel and three inshore vessels. Following a public
tender process, the tenders were awarded to Farocean Marine and
Damen Shipyards. I must point out that there was fierce
international competition in the tender process and the
Damen/Farocean tenders were successful because of their competitive
price and technical superiority. The offshore vessel is 83 metres
in length and will be capable of remaining at sea for up to 45 days
while carrying seven fishery conservation officers. In addition to
its fishery commitments, the vessel will carry 50,000 litres of
dispersant and a range of oil spill countermeasure systems. Search
and rescue, fire fighting and towing facilities will further
enhance its capabilities. A helicopter deck with refuelling
facilities for the support of craft as large as an Oryx helicopter
has been incorporated. Delivery of this vessel is expected in
December 2004.
The three inshore vessels are 47 metres in length and their design
is based on a number of similar vessels built for the Netherlands
and British governments. These have proved to be highly successful
and the Department will no doubt benefit from the experience gained
in the design and construction of the first eight vessels. Key
criteria that had to be met by tenderers were the ability to work
off the inhospitable South African coastline and to remain at sea
for periods of up to 14 days. The lack of suitable harbours north
of Saldanha Bay added onerous range and speed requirements, which
had a major impact on size of the vessels, which are slightly
larger than their predecessors. Each vessel will carry two fishery
conservation officers and will spend up to 220 days per year at
sea. The vessels will also carry oil dispersant chemicals and oil
spill countermeasure equipment. The first vessel is due for
delivery in December 2004, with the remaining two following at
three-month intervals.
Ladies and gentlemen, we are shortly to witness the first tangible
step in the building of these three fine vessels. It may seem a
fairly simple operation, but it belies the intense effort over
several years by officials of my Department, of Damen Shipyards and
of Farocean Marine. I would like to take this opportunity to
congratulate all concerned in achieving this important milestone
and to wish Farocean Marine and Damen Shipyards every success in
their future ventures.
Together let us build a better life for all!
Thank you
Source: Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism
(http://www.environment.gov.za)
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