A USD 200 million (EUR 151.4 million) aquaculture facility will be established in the Coega Industrial Development Zone of Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape, South Africa.
The facility, which will begin with abalone production, will spread over 300 hectares. Dr. Keith du Plessis, agro-processing project manager for the Coega Development Corp. (CDC), said the area has ideal conditions for farming abalone.
“The CDC aims to dedicate 80 hectares to abalone farming by 2020 creating about 2,080 permanent jobs. South Africa is widely known to have the best abalone in the world, all of which is exported to the Far East,” Dr. Du Plessis said.
Finfish farming on a proposed 120 hectares would create about 3,000 additional permanent jobs in the long-term.
“Another species that could potentially be farmed is seaweed, which is complementary to abalone farming,” he said. “Seaweed can be used for abalone feed and various pharmaceutical uses.”
Du Plessis also said the deepwater Port of Ngqura is of strategic importance and ideal for maintenance of the cold chain required by aqua-farmed produce. CDC is working closely with local stakeholders, government and prospective investors.
Dr. Ayanda Vilakazi, CDC head of marketing and communications, said the aqua-farming facility is aligned with the government’s plans to harness the potential of an “oceans economy.”
“Earlier this year the South African presidency announced plans to explore parts of the ocean to find economic potential that could lead to the country’s gross domestic product (GDP),” Dr. Vilakazi said. “Commercial economic activities can potentially contribute R177-billion to GDP, while creating about 1 million direct jobs. The CDC cannot ignore this potential and is actively working to create opportunities in aqua-based agro-processing and attract investors."
