Nicolette Dirk
PEOPLE around the world will celebrate World Oceans Day today to highlight the importance of the planet’s oceans.
According to the UN, oceans generate most of the oxygen we breathe, absorb a large share of carbon dioxide emissions, provide food and regulate the climate.
In the lead up to World Oceans Day, South African surfers and scientists united for the Silence of the Sharks and Paddle Out for Sharks initiatives.
There was a wave of support for the fifth annual Paddle Out for Sharks conservation drive at the weekend at the KwaZulu-Natal South Coast and Seaforth Beach in Simon’s Town.
Paddle Out for Sharks co-founder and marine conservationist Amanda Barratt said supporters paddled 30m out to sea and flowers were strewn into the ocean to show support for the plight of sharks.
“Up to a million sharks are killed across the planet every year. They sit at the top of the predatory hierarchy and without them the ocean’s system will be out of control.
“In South Africa, our ocean resources are being plundered by foreign fishing fleets.”
Barratt was referring to the arrest of three Chinese fishing boats last month in East London for allegedly fishing illegally in South Africa’s territory.
“Monitoring, overfishing and the plundering of our oceans is a big problem. Globally by 2050, all edible fish in the ocean will be extinct.”
Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries spokesperson Palesa Mokomele said World Oceans Day was important.
“The department is responsible for the management of fish resources for South Africa and is considered one of the best in managing its resources on the entire continent,” said Mokomele.
Its role was further cemented by its involvement in Operation Phakisa, the initiative to unlock the ocean economy. “Through Operation Phakisa, we are monitoring South Africa’s ocean with our fisheries patrol vessels.”
Challenges included regulatory barriers, a high cost of production, accessing funding and a limited pool of skills.
“The goal is to grow the sector in South Africa to play a major role in supplying products and an enhanced role in job creation. The targets over the next five years seek to grow the sector’s revenue from R0.67 billion to R3bn and the number of jobs from 2 227 to 15 000,” said Mokomele.