SA, Norway in R40m marine deal
17 September 2004
South Africa and Norway on Tuesday signed a four-year R40-million marine fisheries business plan, in terms of which the two countries will cooperate on building research capacity, skills training, and the development of coastal communities.
The agreement was signed by South Africa's Minister of Environmental Affairs and Tourism, Marthinus van Schalkwyk, and Norway's Minister of Fisheries Svein Ludvigsen.
Speaking at the ceremony in Cape Town, van Schalkwyk said: "The strength of the partnership between Norway and South Africa has always been our shared concern for the environment, for natural resources, and for uplifting the quality of life in all our communities."
Van Schalkwyk said the agreement is for the period from 2005-2009 and would strengthen the partnership between the two countries in the fishing sector to provide South Africa's industry with research capacity, skills training, and to help develop coastal
communities.
Norway and South Africa's cooperatin in marine fisheries started in 1996, and in 2000 this was formalised in a programme that has focused on policy and legislation development, scholarships and training, scientific capacity building, and the management of subsistence fisheries.
Norway, according to the department, has contributed an estimated R45-million in assisting South Africa's marine industry during the first decade of South Africa's democracy.
"In one of our many joint projects, over 600 members of community-based organisations have been trained in the principles of sustainable use of marine resources, as well as the legal and administrative frameworks of fisheries management," the department said in a statement.
About half of all previously disadvantaged scientists employed by South Africa's Marine and Coastal Management Branch have been trained in Norway, and 14 students have received training at post-graduate level through the
scholarships, added the statement.
According to van Schalkwyk, the agreement aims to improve employment opportunities in the South African fisheries sector, improve sustainable use of fishing resources in small-scale and subsistence fisheries, enhance capacity in marine science, fisheries economics and management by providing training to targeted groups.
The plan also aims to build management capacity in the Marine and Coastal Management Branch in policy development, rights allocation, research, and monitoring, compliance and surveillance.
Source: Environmental Affairs and Tourism website
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