Deputy Minister N Singh: 16th Aquaculture Association of Southern Africa Conference

Mpekweni Beach Resort 
04 August 2026;

Programme director
Chairman of the Aquaculture Association of Southern Africa; Prof Nial Vine
Representatives of National, Provincial and Local Government; Dr Nadipha Ndudane from Eastern Cape Department of Agriculture
Industry leaders and investors;
Scientists, researchers and students;

Ladies and Gentlemen;

Good morning.

I had a privilege of participating and opening the Aquaculture Association of Southern Africa's 15th Biennial Conference in Stellenbosch in September 2024 where the theme was Redefining Innovation and Sustainability. The conference sparked my interest and passion in the opportunities in aquaculture and I am therefore excited to be opening the 16th Biennial Conference, which is taking place here in the Eastern Cape. The theme of the conference, "Resilience Through Collaboration," could not be more appropriate.

Food systems are increasingly under pressure from the effects of climate change and environmental challenges, demographic changes, economic uncertainties, and competition for natural resources. In fact, the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations states that aquaculture is the fastest-growing sector in global food production, providing more aquatic animals for human consumption than capture fisheries. The highest growth prospect in aquaculture production is seen in Africa but South Africa is yet to meet its growth potential which is clear from our national production statistics as reflected in our comprehensive South Africa Aquaculture Yearbook. The latest yearbook will be published in the next month.

As we kick off the 16th AASA Conference, the key questions that we must ask ourselves are very clear:

• How can we achieve this success in South Africa?

• How can we harness our freshwater resources, rich natural marine resources, scientific know-how and entrepreneurial spirit?

• How can we create a resilient aquaculture sector that would help us address food and nutrition security, employment and economic growth challenges?

• How do we learn from other countries such as China, Vietnam, and Chile among others?

These questions become increasingly pertinent as Africa's population keeps growing. Future generations need to have access to healthy, nutritious and sustainable food products. Aquatic food products are among the most nutrient-dense foods available and can play a key role in addressing food and nutrition security issues in our country and continent.

Research and technological development are obviously necessary to solve certain challenges, but resilience cannot be achieved without collaboration and partnership that translates knowledge into practical solutions. It requires partnerships and collaborations between researchers, farmers, industry, governments and communities who collectively develop innovative, practical and sustainable solutions. This is why the Department sees aquaculture as a key element of sustainable food systems of the future. As a country, we are actively exploring collaborating and learning from countries that have unlocked this opportunity.

The theme of the conference reminds us that no single institution can achieve this success alone. Collaboration remains an essential ingredient for the future growth of the sector. Based on our successful collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations, I am proud to announce an important milestone in South Africa's aquaculture sector. We have just received the Global Environment Facility (GEF-8) funding approval for just under five (5) million USD over five years, under the programme "Catalysing Sustainable Aquaculture Systems for South Africa." This milestone comes after an extensive programme development process with various stakeholders from government, industry, academic institutions, small-scale producers, communities and others sharing a common vision for a sustainable and resilient aquaculture sector in South Africa. The programme aims to address barriers in the sector and develop sustainable, resilient and inclusive food systems. The programme recognises that aquaculture is not only about production, but about generating livelihoods, transforming food systems, climate resilience, improving nutrition outcomes and environmental sustainability.

The Department values different role players in the sector and understands the crucial role each one provides. For example, the department partnered with United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in providing support to small-scale fish farmers through the project "Leveraging AgriTech and AI for sustainable agricultural and export development in South Africa". The project amongst others focuses on introducing technologies that support production systems whilst increasing production output. It targets thirty-one (31) small-scale fish farmers across the country which include young entrepreneurs such as the those leading Green Arch Innovation in KwaZulu-Natal. 

Another project demonstrating practical benefits of strategic partnerships and collaboration is a community-based youth initiative in the Sweetwaters area of KwaZulu Natal where the department collaborated with a Non-Profit Organisation called INMED-South Africa in establishing a pilot aquaponics system. We likewise proud of the Aquaculture Technology Demonstration Centre (ATDC) in Gariep Dam which provides important training to new farmers and opportunity for piloting new systems and conducting research and innovation in the freshwater sector. At Gariep we are actively partnering with institutions such as Motheo Technical and Vocational Education and Training College (Motheo TVET) to develop young graduates.

At the national level, one of the key collaborations is with the Department of Science and Innovation. Together with other stakeholders, we revise the Aquaculture Research and Technology Development Programme in line with the Decadal Plan for Science, Technology and Innovation and contribute to the implementation of the Agriculture Science, Technology and Innovation Implementation Plan. All of these initiatives form part of broader programmes such as the Oceans Economy Master Plan, of which aquaculture remains an important sector. As the aquaculture sector we have seen the benefits of driving the Oceans Economy through partnerships which resulted in progress towards the various priorities, including driving legislative reform and development of the Aquaculture Development Bill. Currently the Bill has obtained green light from the State Law Advisors to undergo Parliamentary processes.

The Department continues to collaborate and co-develop various programs with international partners in collaboration with universities, industry and international research organisations in France, Norway and England.  Some of these programmes and research networks which include AfriMAQUA (promoting sustainable aquaculture across Africa), LIMAQUA (South Africa and France Laboratory to promote nutritional sensitive aquaculture) and SUMUSANO (Bilateral collaboration with Norway). These collaborations advance research in sustainable aquaculture production systems, their nutritional value, seaweed farming, Integrated Multi-Trophic Aquaculture, nutrition-sensitive aquaculture and aquatic animal health. We also participate in development of international aquatic animal health standards in the framework of South Africa's elected membership of the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) Aquatic Animal Health Standards Commission.

Simultaneously, unlocking aquaculture in Africa requires ongoing collaboration and cooperation with Member States and Technical Partners within the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the African Union (AU) in order to address cross-cutting regional needs and interventions in various programs.

Collaboration alone is not enough though. The real success lies in the ability to translate research and innovation into practical achievements on the ground. The value of our scientific research should not be measured only in terms of scientific publications and conference presentations – it should be measured in improved production systems, new enterprises, job creation, increased food security and other benefits for communities. It is important that the research we conduct should reach farmers, entrepreneurs, investors and policymakers. It should address real challenges and help grow the sector.

Proudly, South Africa is not only embracing innovation, but also developing it through local research, international collaboration and demonstration of new technologies. Currently, research supports sector diversification and market expansion through demonstration of seaweed farming, sea urchin farming, clam farming and mullet farming. The GEF-8 Programme will build on current achievements and will concentrate on development of sustainable farming of low-trophic warm-water species such as sea urchins, in order to unlock aquaculture potential in the Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal.

Much progress is also being made in sustainable aquafeeds, improved biosecurity systems and aquatic animal health. This scientific research helps South Africa to declare its freedom from selected WOAH-listed diseases that affect the abalone and oyster industries, increases our confidence in the health status of the aquaculture sector and provides us with access to international markets. Simultaneously, it improves our capacity to detect and respond to emerging threats to aquaculture production through science-based monitoring and therefore helps to protect aquatic ecosystems and increase sector resilience and growth. Altogether, it positions South Africa not only as a partner but as a contributor to global aquaculture innovation.

Importantly, it demonstrates that South Africa has a significant local expertise. We have established internationally recognised capacities in land-based farming systems, seaweed farming, Integrated Multi-Trophic Aquaculture and aquatic animal health management. This is demonstrated in the active mutual collaboration we have with various international countries. Our challenge is now to make sure that this expertise is transferred, scaled and used to help with sector's growth in the future.

And this brings me to what can be seen as one of the most important investments: investment in people. The future of aquaculture will depend on the next generation of scientists, farmers, technicians, entrepreneurs, veterinarians, diagnosticians and innovators.

The Department, in collaboration with its partners, including various universities, the South African International Maritime Institute, INMED, LIMAQUA and other platforms, continues to invest in learners and student development, research mentorship, work-integrated learning, university partnerships and science-awareness activities in schools. Researchers regularly mentor postgraduate students, provide practical training opportunities and engage schools and communities in awareness of aquaculture and its opportunities.

I am glad to see young people present at the conference. Please actively engage, ask questions, criticise and network. The future growth of aquaculture in South Africa will depend on your innovation, curiosity and readiness to lead. As we meet in August, we are also celebrating Women's Month in South Africa. Throughout the aquaculture sector, women are making great achievements as scientists, policymakers, entrepreneurs, farmers, technicians and educators. They lead research, influence policies, drive innovations and build successful enterprises, and in doing so they contribute to the resilience and sustainability of the sector. They prove the depth of expertise and leadership of South African aquaculture sector and set an example for the next generation of scientists entering this profession. As we talk about resilience through collaboration, let us also remember the important role of women in aquaculture innovation in South Africa.

Celebrating collaboration, we cannot forget the most important partner in the value chain - the consumer. That is why we have partnered with Motheo College to host a "Farm to Cook Off Aquaculture Challenge" on Thursday, 6 August in the framework of the conference programme. Students and participants will compete and show their skills preparing dishes using locally produced aquaculture products.

The purpose of this competition is to promote the consumption of locally produced aquatic foods, to highlight their nutritional value, versatility and importance in sustainable food systems. It also reminds us that supporting aquaculture starts not only at the farm, but at the dinner table.

In conclusion, I would like to express my appreciation to the Aquaculture Association of Southern Africa for organising this biennial conference. It remains an important forum for knowledge exchange, partnership development and shaping the future of aquaculture in South Africa.

The message that I want to leave with you today is very simple:

Resilience is built through collaboration. Collaboration between government, industry, communities and academia. Collaboration between experienced professionals and future generations.

If we continue to collaborate, innovate and focus on practical achievements, there is nothing that will prevent South Africa from unleashing its aquaculture potential and making an important contribution to food security, nutrition, employment and economic growth.

I wish you productive, engaging and successful conference.

Thank you.

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Zolile Nqayi
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E-mail: znqayi@dffe.gov.za

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