26 DECEMBER 2016 • WORLD AQUACULTURE • WWW.WAS.ORG dams in South Africa with the potential for large-scale production (5000-10,000 t/yr) have also been identified for development in the Operation Phakisa program. The Lesotho farms are expected to double the supply of trout to the local market over the next five years and replace imported trout. This is positive for the currently under-supplied local market, where processors are forced to supplement their supply with imports to meet demand. Processors and retailers prefer the local product for its superior quality, reduced price uncertainty from currency fluctuations, and long-term business relationships. Many restaurants and consumers choose the SASSI green-listed local product over imported orange-listed salmon. The trout value chain is well-established, with a number of processors producing premium smoked, cured, frozen and fresh products, and the sector is well-positioned to grow organically by taking advantage of a favorable local market, its established product range, reputation for quality, upmarket products and its SASSI greenlisting. Mussels Three large-scale producers, together with a new farm established in 2013, operate in Saldanha Bay on the west coast, producing both fresh product for the restaurant trade and a range of value-added mussel products in cooked and frozen forms for retail and catering. South African mussels are starting to be preferred in the local market to their main competition, frozen imported New Zealand ‘greenlip’ mussels, which are cheaper but of lower quality. Educating consumers about the quality, freshness and local origin of South African mussel products has the potential to further grow the value chain. Both the indigenous black mussel (Choromytilus meridionalis) and the exotic Mediterranean mussel (Mytilus galloprovincialis) are cultivated, with production increasing by 30 percent in 2013 to a highest-ever 1,116 t, making mussels the third-largest aquaculture sub-sector overall. A small portion (63 t) of overall production is exported, mainly to African countries and island states. An export growth opportunity exists if South Africa’s shellfish water-quality monitoring program can be brought up to European Union standards. Oysters Oysters have a similar value chain to mussels, except that only a fresh product is produced for the local restaurant trade and specialized seafood retail outlets. The production operation is relatively simple, requiring no feed inputs. Oyster spat are imported from overseas hatcheries and locally-cultivated oysters have a reputation for quality and flavor as a result of the favorable growing conditions in Saldanha Bay. Production is growing, albeit off a low base, with 277 t produced in 2013, and producers (nine operational in 2013) move their product to market through a network of well-established relationships. Although no oyster processing currently occurs, there are export possibilities for frozen oysters. As with mussels, the monitoring and certification of local oysters would need to be brought up to international standards. Marine Finfish South Africa has not yet successfully moved much beyond the pilot stage in marine finfish aquaculture. A number of species have been trialed for feasibility and market access over the years, with dusky kob currently the only species cultivated commercially. Pilot farms for dusky kob included three recirculation and one pond culture facility in 2013, with production increasingly dramatically from 48 to 147 t, but viability has been challenged by recirculation technology issues and the high operating costs of land-based recirculation systems. Catfish While the technology is available for intensive catfish production and the species is ideally suited for production in indoor systems in the temperate South African climate, the value chain — specifically a clear market for the product — remains undeveloped. Catfish suffers from negative market perceptions as an inferior ‘poor man’s fish’, also due to its ‘ugly’ appearance and its meat characteristics (red color, meaty texture and distinct flavor) which differ from traditional white fish fillets. Despite ongoing attempts to develop catfish farming — due to the species suitability for production and for its perceived potential as a low-cost protein source — there is currently no commercialSeaweed (Ulva) is cultured in abalone effluent as a feed supplement on some South African abalone farms. South African retailers are encouraging consumers to learn to eat fish at home.
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