SANCOR Newsletter Issue #170: June 2002

 

PARTNERSHIP FOR GROWTH

"FISHING & AQUACULTURE"

The Department of Trade and Industry has launched a new and exciting initiative call the Community Public Private Partnership Programme (CPPP). The crux of the project is the development of "a system aimed at reviving the country’s sleeping rural economies by linking wealthy communities with private investors dedicated and inspired by the use of the country’s rich, natural resources".

The ultimate aim is to develop suitable and on-going guidelines on community public private partnerships in key economic sectors of agri-business and forestry, agro-biodiversity, fishing and aquaculture, mining and tourism.

"Fishing and Aquaculture"

Since June 2000, the development of all aspects of aquaculture were looked at by the CPPP. The CPPP hoped to create partnerships for economic empowerment, by providing a means of living off the "fruits of the sea". The rationale is that such opportunities would get local communities to put back what they have taken out and the project team is hoping that this will decrease poaching.

The Tshani/Mankosi coastal community at the Umtata mouth is located on the Transkei Wild Coast. Currently the unemployment and illiteracy rate at Umtata mouth is estimated to be 90%. This community devotes a large proportion of their time to harvesting fish and other marine invertebrates and selling them to the local holiday makers.The Tshani/Mankosi fishing forum and aquaculture scheme is a pilot project, aimed at surf and rock angling for line fishing, and portable holding tanks for shellfish and crayfish. The tanks enable the local fishers to stockpile their catches until is becomes