Following the completion of a feasibility study last week, the Coega Development Corporation (CDC) has announced plans for the development of a R2-billion aquafarming facility for abalone and finfish on 300 ha of land in Zone 10 of the Coega industrial development zone (IDZ).

CDC agroprocessing project manager Dr Keith du Plessis said on Monday that the study indicated that environmental conditions in the region were suitable for abalone farming and the development of a facility focusing on the commercial cultivation of marine animals and plants.

“The CDC aims to dedicate 80 ha to abalone farming by 2020, creating about 2 080 permanent jobs. South Africa is widely known to have of the best abalone and the best product in the world, all of which is exported to the Far East,” he noted.

In addition, finfish farming on a proposed 120 ha in the Coega IDZ was expected to 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 and can be used for abalone feed and various pharmaceutical uses,” commented Du Plessis.

He added that the deep-water Port of Ngqura was of strategic importance and critical to maintaining the cold chain required by aqua-farmed produce.

CDC was currently advancing two environmental-impact assessments; one for seawater abstraction and discharge outlet and another for the land-based activities related to aquaculture.

“There are synergies between the proposed aquafarming facility and other CDC projects which require large amounts of seawater for cooling,” he explained.

CDC marketing and communications head Dr Ayanda Vilakazi added that the aquafarming facility was aligned with 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 [contribute] to the country’s gross domestic product (GDP).

“Commercial economic activities can potentially contribute R177-billion to GDP, while creating about one-million direct jobs. The CDC cannot ignore this potential and is actively working to create opportunities in aqua-based agroprocessing and attract investors interested in this sector,” he said.