Seaweed
Seaweed or kelp harvesting in South Africa is primarily directed at two species of large brown seaweeds, Ecklonia maxima and Laminaria pallida. These seaweeds are abundant in the cool, temperate waters between Cape Agulhas and Namibia. The South African coastline is, however, also home to a number of other species of seaweed. These include Gelidium and Gracilaria.
Beach-cast kelp of both species, Ecklonia maxima and Laminaria pallida, have been collected since at least 1953 in quantities that fluctuate with market demand, but reached a maximum of about 5 000 tons (dry weight) in 1977. Since then, an average of 1 312 dry weight tons have been collected with low yields between 1993 and 1995 reflecting strong international competition from Chinese alginate producers.
Beach-cast kelp is sun-dried, milled and exported mainly for the extraction of alginate. No commercial extraction occurs in South Africa due to strong international competition. Laboratory tests on South African kelps indicate alginate yields of between 22 percent and 40 percent. Recently, powdered kelp has been exported to Japan for use in formulated fish-feed. Fresh kelp has been harvested since 1979 in relatively small quantities for the production of a liquid plant-growth stimulant (Kelpak). The product contains cytokinins, that have been shown to improve the growth and quality of various food and horticultural crops. The recent growth of the abalone farming industry has created further demand for freshly harvested kelp.
Commercially viable quantities of Gracilaria gracilis occur in Saldanha Bay and Gracilariopsis occurs in St Helena Bay.
Commercially viable quantities of Gelidium have been harvested in the Eastern Cape since at least 1957. Four species (G. pristoides,G abbottiorum, G. pteridifolium and possibly some G. capense) are capable of being harvested from the intertidal and shallow subtidal zones of concession areas 1, 20, 21, 22 and 23. An attempt was made to extract agar in the Eastern Cape from 1978-1982 but this proved uneconomical. The present levels and methods of exploitation have a negligible ecological effect. Exploitation levels are essentially controlled by limiting effort to only one commercial operator per concession area and yields are monitored. Furthermore, this species is difficult to fully remove by picking.
The seaweed sector is managed in terms of both a total applied effort ("TAE") and a total allowable catch ("TAC"). However, the principal management tool is effort control and the number of right-holders in each seaweed harvesting area is restricted. Essentially, each genus of seaweed that may be viably exploited in a concession area may only be harvested by one right holder. In addition, in certain areas limitations are placed on the amounts that may be harvested. Seaweed is harvested on a per area basis. The Department has divided the South African coastline (between Port Nolloth and Port St Johns) into 22 harvesting areas. Areas 11 and 12 are to be combined into one concession area.
Very few medium term right-holders harvested seaweed and added value to it by processing and marketing seaweed related products such as fertilizers, health foods and as part of aromatherapy products and for cosmetic products. Most medium term right-holders harvested seaweed for feed for abalone farms, which in itself may be considered a form a value-adding if regard is had to the fact that cultured abalone has a market value.
The start-up costs for a new entrant may range from approximately R250 000 to R10 million. The operations are labour intensive and wage costs for the various right-holders range from R50 000 per annum to R1 783 000 per annum. Certain right-holders also invest in research and development and these investments range from R60 000 to R1 000 000 per annum.
Sector Facts (FOR SECTOR DETAILS PLEASE EMAIL FEIKE AT ssonday@feike.co.za)
Sector Challenges: Feike's analysis of the allocation of rights and policy objectives for this fishery indicates the following challenges:
Seaweed or kelp harvesting in South Africa is primarily directed at two species of large brown seaweeds, Ecklonia maxima and Laminaria pallida. These seaweeds are abundant in the cool, temperate waters between Cape Agulhas and Namibia. The South African coastline is, however, also home to a number of other species of seaweed. These include Gelidium and Gracilaria.
Beach-cast kelp of both species, Ecklonia maxima and Laminaria pallida, have been collected since at least 1953 in quantities that fluctuate with market demand, but reached a maximum of about 5 000 tons (dry weight) in 1977. Since then, an average of 1 312 dry weight tons have been collected with low yields between 1993 and 1995 reflecting strong international competition from Chinese alginate producers.
Beach-cast kelp is sun-dried, milled and exported mainly for the extraction of alginate. No commercial extraction occurs in South Africa due to strong international competition. Laboratory tests on South African kelps indicate alginate yields of between 22 percent and 40 percent. Recently, powdered kelp has been exported to Japan for use in formulated fish-feed. Fresh kelp has been harvested since 1979 in relatively small quantities for the production of a liquid plant-growth stimulant (Kelpak). The product contains cytokinins, that have been shown to improve the growth and quality of various food and horticultural crops. The recent growth of the abalone farming industry has created further demand for freshly harvested kelp.
Commercially viable quantities of Gracilaria gracilis occur in Saldanha Bay and Gracilariopsis occurs in St Helena Bay.
Commercially viable quantities of Gelidium have been harvested in the Eastern Cape since at least 1957. Four species (G. pristoides,G abbottiorum, G. pteridifolium and possibly some G. capense) are capable of being harvested from the intertidal and shallow subtidal zones of concession areas 1, 20, 21, 22 and 23. An attempt was made to extract agar in the Eastern Cape from 1978-1982 but this proved uneconomical. The present levels and methods of exploitation have a negligible ecological effect. Exploitation levels are essentially controlled by limiting effort to only one commercial operator per concession area and yields are monitored. Furthermore, this species is difficult to fully remove by picking.
The seaweed sector is managed in terms of both a total applied effort ("TAE") and a total allowable catch ("TAC"). However, the principal management tool is effort control and the number of right-holders in each seaweed harvesting area is restricted. Essentially, each genus of seaweed that may be viably exploited in a concession area may only be harvested by one right holder. In addition, in certain areas limitations are placed on the amounts that may be harvested. Seaweed is harvested on a per area basis. The Department has divided the South African coastline (between Port Nolloth and Port St Johns) into 22 harvesting areas. Areas 11 and 12 are to be combined into one concession area.
Very few medium term right-holders harvested seaweed and added value to it by processing and marketing seaweed related products such as fertilizers, health foods and as part of aromatherapy products and for cosmetic products. Most medium term right-holders harvested seaweed for feed for abalone farms, which in itself may be considered a form a value-adding if regard is had to the fact that cultured abalone has a market value.
The start-up costs for a new entrant may range from approximately R250 000 to R10 million. The operations are labour intensive and wage costs for the various right-holders range from R50 000 per annum to R1 783 000 per annum. Certain right-holders also invest in research and development and these investments range from R60 000 to R1 000 000 per annum.
Sector Facts (FOR SECTOR DETAILS PLEASE EMAIL FEIKE AT ssonday@feike.co.za)
Sector Challenges: Feike's analysis of the allocation of rights and policy objectives for this fishery indicates the following challenges:
- Investment into alternative uses of South African seaweeds, particularly by the smaller medium term right holders and successful new entrant applicants is required;
- Regular monthly reporting of harvesting rates, which was largely lacking during the medium term period is required;
- Responsible use of South Africa's fragile coastal zone.
- For the first time all 22 concession areas have been allocated with more than one right holder in certain areas. The deployment of large numbers of harvesters along the coast on a regular basis will provide the right holders and Marine and Coastal Management with an important opportunity to train and empower harvesters as honorary fishery control officers to partner the permanent force of fishery control officers employed by the Department;
- The allocation has also affirmed many community based applicants such as FAMDA, Rekaofela Kelp and Buffeljagsbaai Marine Company. Members of these coastal communities should now be able to benefit from this allocation and should hold the management structures of these right holders accountable. The fiasco that embroiled the late SACFC should not be repeated.
view Seaweed Policy
view GPR Seaweeed