SA turns to oceans economy

IN HIS State of the Nation address, President Cyril Ramaphosa identified the oceans economy as a key driver for economic growth, but also pointed out the kind of skills that will be required.

Ramaphosa said some schools will be turned into technical schools teaching subjects such as marine science.

He said the oceans economy is expected to create thousands of jobs.

“We are focusing our attention, our policies and our programmes on the key parts of the economy that are labour intensive. These include agriculture, tourism and the oceans economy.

“Since the Operation Phakisa on the Oceans Economy in 2014, we have secured investments of nearly R30 billion and created over 7 000 direct jobs.

“The investments have been mainly in infrastructure development, marine manufacturing, aquaculture, and the oil and gas sector,” he said.

He said expected investment in the oceans economy over the next five years is estimated at R3.8bn by government and R65bn by the private sector.

“These investments are expected to create over 100 000 direct jobs and more than 250 000 indirect jobs.

“South Africa has a big coastline, with it being one of South Africa’s most important assets. And it supports numerous communities through fisheries, tourism and mining.”

Riette Pretorius, project manager for the Council for Science and Industrial Research (CSIR) oceans economy, said: “We need more oceanographers and marine scientists who can tell us more about the ocean.

“Most of the people who are staying in coastal towns are involved in the fishing industry. So we need these people in these career fields to tell us about tides and waves and how it will impact on aquaculture farming.

“As well as red tides which causes crayfish to walk out of the ocean. These are all the skills we are going to require.”