National Marine Week

By Rhodé Marshall
15 October 2007

National Marine Week is once again being celebrated this week under the theme “opportunities in the ocean” which emphasises the potential of the South African marine resources to support the socio-economic development in the country.

Opportunities include food provision and security, climate and weather, sea trade, culture and recreation, mining and minerals.

“There are quite a number of opportunities that exist in the marine and coastal ecosystems which we want to highlight,” says Spokesperson for the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism, Mava Scott.

One of the important opportunities to be highlighted is how food is provided from the ocean.

“It has long been established that fish and other sea food are healthy alternatives in a balanced diet.

While the formal commercial sector lands more than half a million fish products, several communities in all coastal provinces support their livelihoods through recreational and subsistence fishing,” says Scott.