SIX TOURISM DEVELOPMENT NODES HAVE ALREADY BEEN IDENTIFIED, WHERE OUR INTEGRATED APPROACH WILL BE IMPLEMENTED

vices and Ocean Governance, the Draft Marine Spatial Planning Bill and associated Marine Spatial Planning Framework, which will serve as areas for nurseries, have been completed.

Consultations have been concluded on 18 of the envisaged 22 Offshore Marine Protected Areas. These will cover approximately 4.4% of our Exclusive Economic Zone.

With regards to policing and protecting our Exclusive Economic Zone, Joint Operations continue to be conducted in all four coastal provinces as part of the coordinated enforcement programme with numerous arrests and confiscations that happened.

The National Ocean and Coastal Information System is being piloted as a decision support tool in respect of vessel tracking.

We are now in a better position to locate vessels, especially the ones entering our waters illegally and those engaging in illegal activities.

Furthermore, we can now signal an early warning for the occurrence of harmful algal blooms or red tides.

This detection and early-warning has a major positive impact on the West Coast Rock Lobster industry.

In addition, the National Marine Pollution Laboratory has been established at Walter Sisulu University in the Eastern Cape and will be responsible for the water quality analysis programme, along the South African coast.

DEAR COLLEAGUES AND STAKEHOLDERS,

The development of Small Harbours has the potential to unlock economic opportunities along the coast and stimulate local economies.

To exploit this potential, we have commenced with preparations for the planned National Small Harbours Development Laboratory.

Investor conferences are being held in the coastal provinces as a build-up to the National Lab engagement.

Already, critical capital and maintenance projects of approximately four hundred million rand has been identified, to modernise and develop the twelve proclaimed fishing harbours.

We are also happy to report that the outcome of the Coastal and Marine Tourism Lab has been approved by Cabinet, thus taking Operation Phakisa in the tourism sector forward. Our aspiration is to grow a world class and sustainable coastal and marine tourism destinations.

These will enhance South Africa’s competitive advantages in nature, culture, and heritage, with the potential to contribute R21 billion to the South African Gross Domestic Product and more jobs for our people.

Through the Blue Flag Beaches Programme 200 youth blue flag site ambassadors have been identified. One hundred and twenty-two women and 78 men will be trained in safety, environmental management, infrastructure maintenance checks and environmental education.

COMPATRIOTS AND FRIENDS,

We will not be able to grow the Oceans Economy without skills development, research and technology and innovation.

The newly-launched South African International Maritime Institute at Nelson Mandela University coordinates the skills development programme.

Our training programmes include cadet and seafarer training, marine engineering, various apprenticeships as well as specialised training.

The Marine Youth Development Programme of the South African Maritime Safety Authority has also facilitated the training of 125 young people from Orange Farm, Port St Johns and Buffalo City Municipality in hospitality and seamanship. This will help them gain jobs on international cruise liners.

We are pleased as well that many high schools now offer maritime subjects.

Eighteen schools in this province, KZN offer maritime subjects.

The Department of Basic Education is working with the South African International Maritime Institute to designate dedicated maritime schools.

COMPATRIOTS,

We have gone quite a distance indeed in unlocking our oceans to find economic value and jobs for our people.

We truly appreciate the contribution of all sectors – business, labour, academia and government, to make Operation Phakisa Oceans Economy successful thus far.

This month, we recognise and celebrate the life of our national liberation hero, Oliver Reginald Tambo, who sacrificed life’s comforts so that South Africa could be free.

In his memory, let us work together in a true Phakisa spirit and as partners, and build a truly prosperous South Africa, without poverty, inequality and unemployment.

I thank you