Posted on 17 September
2009
WWF South Africa, together with four major
fishing industry players, namely I&J,
Oceana, Sea Harvest and Viking, have launched
the Responsible Fisheries
Alliance (RFA).
Stellenbosch, South Africa: Fishing industry
leaders and WWF have committed to improving
the sustainability of South African fisheries
in a first-time partnership that will ensure
long-term marine conservation in the region.
WWF South Africa, together
with four major fishing industry players,
namely I&J, Oceana, Sea Harvest and
Viking, have launched the Responsible Fisheries
Alliance (RFA). This is the first alliance
of its kind in the history of South African
marine conservation. The Alliance is a bid
to achieve the common goal of ensuring the
implementation of an Ecosystem Approach
to Fisheries (EAF) management in South Africa’s
fisheries.
An EAF seeks to protect
and enhance the health of marine ecosystems
on which life and human benefits depend.
The approach depends on balancing the diverse
needs and values of both present and future
generations.
“Fishing companies and
environmental NGOs are often perceived to
share little common ground. But in reality,
responsible fishing companies that are committed
to a long-term business view have a great
deal in common with rational environmental
NGOs that are committed to sustainable development
goals,” said Dr Samantha Petersen, Manager
of WWF’s Sustainable Fisheries Programme.
“It is against this background that the
concept of a Responsible Fisheries Alliance
(RFA) was borne.”
The goals of the Alliance
include promoting responsible fisheries
practices, influencing policy on fishery
governance, skills development to enable
the implementation of an Ecosystem Approach
and facilitating high quality ecological,
socio-economic and governance related research
to inform the implementation of an EAF.
The RFA was created
on the basis of a strong ecological, market,
operational and governance case agreed upon
by both the fishing companies and WWF. The
many years of good working relations between
WWF and the key Alliance partners has already
resulted in the development of a number
of projects including the development of
the responsible fisheries training programme,
various bycatch assessments such as seabirds
and vulnerable finfish amongst others.
Statements issued by
the founding members of the Alliance regarding
their involvement in this important step
in South Africa’s marine conservation efforts,
all highlighted the fact that long-term
sustainability from both an ecological and
business point of view was a priority.
“Sea Harvest has been
in existence for over 45 years; and we intend
to fish for many more – for our children’s
children” said George Bezuidenhout, Managing
Director of Sea Harvest. “We are proud to
be a founding member of the RFA which will
become one of the important interventions
enhancing responsible and sustainable fishing.”
I&J Operations Director,
Suleiman Salie said “I&J is committed
to continue to be actively involved in promoting
sustainable and responsible fishing practices
for the long term. Collaborative initiatives
such as those that will be championed by
the Responsible Fisheries Alliance will
undoubtedly enhance our efforts to achieve
this goal.”
On behalf of Viking,
Director, Tim Reddell, said “Viking is proud
to be a founder member of the RFA; it highlights
Viking’s commitment towards ensuring that
future generations will also be able to
experience the pleasures and biodiversity
that the world’s oceans have to offer”.
Francois Kuttel, CEO
Oceana Group Limited added that “environmental
sustainability is one of the 3 pillars of
the Oceana Groups corporate sustainability
framework. Oceana is committed to a policy
of fair dealing and integrity in the conduct
of its business. The sustainable utilization
of marine resources, and support for the
responsible management of these resources
is fundamental to this commitment”.
The launch of the RFA
also received public support from Dr Valli
Moosa, former Minister of Environmental
Affairs and Tourism and former President
of the World Conservation Union (IUCN).
Dr Moosa said that the
formation of this Alliance was significant
because for the first time a forum has been
created in which civil society and the private
sector can effectively and strategically
engage on the mutual objective of a sustainable
fishing industry.
“The RFA will facilitate
the support of the regulatory framework
by sharing the responsibility of the wise
management of our oceans and providing additional
resources to furthering the World Summit
for Sustainable Development Goal of implementing
an Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries Management
by 2012”, said Dr Moosa.
