Fish & Marine Africa 2012 offers international exhibitors, visitors

"South Africa has an important strategic role to play in the regional and global maritime sectors and the government is starting to recognise the importance of the maritime industry to growth and development in the region, and what needs to be done to support it," says John Thomson, MD of Exhibition Management Services, organisers of both exhibitions. "Also, its commitment to policy change bodes well for stakeholders in the sector."

Much development in maritime treaties

According to Deputy Transport Minister Jeremy Cronin, the South African maritime industry can soon expect a Green Paper that will address many of the legislative and regulatory developments for which the industry has been lobbying.

This year the Benguela Current Commission in Windhoek launched the Ecofish joint research project between South Africa, Namibia and Angola. Its aim is to modernise management of key marine fisheries in those regions, and improve the scientific assessment of hake, horse mackerel and sardinella, three fish stocks considered most important to the fishing industries and the livelihoods of fishers and fish workers.

The signing next year of the Benguela Current Convention, a treaty between Angola, Namibia and South Africa will ensure the long-term conservation, protection, rehabilitation and sustainable use of the Benguela Current large marine ecosystem.

The N$37-million renovation of the National Marine Information and Research Centre of the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources in Swakopmund will be completed by November 2011. It will also become the headquarters of the Namibian mariculture industry, the Benguela Current Commission and Seafo.

At the 106th session of the Council of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) in London earlier this year, Transport Minister S'bu Ndebele acknowledged that Africa has yet to assume its rightful place in the international maritime industry.

"Africa has the lowest intra-regional trade levels of any region in the world and is the only region in the world with no merchant tonnage under its control to handle coastal and seaborne trade," said Ndebele. "We must use our seat on the IMO Council to develop our maritime sector, create jobs and grow the economy."

The South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA) is equally bullish about the industry's potential. "The maritime sector has the potential to be the new growth curve of the South African economy," says Tsietsi Mokhele, its CEO. "South Africa is strategically positioned to serve the west and east coasts of the continent by sea and establish itself as a regional and global transhipment hub serving global trade routes."

Exhibitors show keenness

The exhibition presents a venue for stakeholders in the fishing and maritime industries to connect and explore opportunities. A number of repeat exhibitors have already registered for the show, including African Maritime Services, Alnet, the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Marine Radio Acoustic Devices, Radio Holland South Africa, Telkom and Trawltech. It also includes many industries related to the sea and maritime aspects, such as boats, engines, radios, safety equipment and much more.

Previous visitors to the event came from over 34 different countries, with South Africa, Namibia, Zambia, Ghana, Congo, Zimbabwe and Nigeria being the highest attendees from the African countries.

For more information, go to www.exhibitionsafrica.com.