WWF South Africa, together with four major fishing industry players - I&J, Oceana, Sea Harvest and Viking - has launched the Responsible Fisheries Alliance (RFA).
The Alliance is the first alliance of its kind in the history of South African marine conservation and 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.
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.
“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 three pillars of the Oceana Group's corporate sustainability framework. Oceana is committed to a policy of fair dealing and integrity in the conduct of its business. The sustainable utilisation 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).
