The Village News 26 July 2016

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Village

NEWS The

26 July 2016

Cape Whale Coast

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In the jaws of extinction The magnificent great white shark (Carcharodon carcharias L.) is one of the oldest shark lineages with an evolutionary origin dating back about 14 million years. Research shows that the number of great white sharks along our coastline is dwindling. Together with whales and penguins, these creatures account for a sizeable part of our tourist trade. A lot is being done to assist in conserving our ocean resources, but the survival of South Africa's white shark population and the ecological interactions of the coastline will be seriously compromised if urgent management measures to prevent the decline are not put in place. Photo: Amos Nachoum, www.photoaesthetics.com

Unlocking our blue economy The unlocking of the “blue economy” in the Overstrand was bolstered with both the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the Municipality and the Department of Public Works (DPW) as well as a workshop to identify the opportunities that the ocean holds for the local economy. The MOU is aimed at establishing the Municipality as a facilitator in the process of upgrading the harbours in Hermanus and Gansbaai. “The document that was signed on Saturday 23 July creates the platform for a partnership between the DPW and the Municipality. It allows us to champion local

economic development during any development and upgrading of our harbours,” says Mayor Nicolette Botha-Guthrie. A workshop hosted by Government Communication and Information Systems (GCIS) and Overstrand Local Economic Development on Friday 22 July was aimed at finding ways to unlock the opportunities within our oceans. According to Louis Botha of GCIS the result of the workshop was the establishment of a task team consisting of local stakeholders that will assist in

identifying the needs, opportunities and obstacles with regards to unlocking the value in our oceans. The workshop was part of Government’s roll-out of Operation Phakisa, a programme aimed at realising the potential of South Africa’s oceans. It focusses on six growth areas, including marine transport and manufacturing, offshore oil and gas exploration, aquaculture, small harbour development, marine protection and coastal and marine tourism. It is expected that Operation Phakisa will add some R177 billion to the economy

and create more than a million jobs over the next 15 years. R80 million has already been earmarked for the rehabilitation and maintenance of small harbours, including that of Gansbaai and another R400 million for aquaculture.

and we have to unlock the potential therein.

Solly Madikane, Director of Local Economic Development at the Municipality, says the development of the ocean economy in the Overstrand is of utmost importance.

“There are currently some 15 small scale fishing co-ops in the Overstrand and we need to support these people by giving them the opportunity to grow their businesses and also to train them. In Gansbaai, for instance, it is envisaged that a structure with cold-rooms, a processing plant, a packaging facility and storerooms are made available to the fishermen.

“Not only do we offer unique tourist attractions with whale watching and shark cage diving, we are also a fishing community

“In Hermanus the existing Lusitania building in the New Harbour will be converted into a salmon farm. Future plans will include upgrading

the harbour into a tourist attraction with small businesses and the potential for more moorings for boats,” says Solly. According to him the spatial framework has been developed. “The process to refine these plans in conjunction with the DPW and local stakeholders can now start. Thereafter the normal processes will take their course.” It is expected that developments will start in the next two to five years and continue for the next 30 years. - De Waal Steyn


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The Village News 26 July 2016 by The Village NEWS - Issuu