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Africa Marine Expo
May 20, 2011
South Africa has a rich and diverse coastline; which allows a vast array of sports lovers to enjoy their favourite past-times in and around our rivers and oceans. Our coastline measures an amazing 2,798 kilometres across both the Atlantic and Indian Oceans.
Our government has proclaimed 15% of South Africa' s coastline creating a framework for managing the country's fisheries and consolidating some of the world's top research, eco-tourism, sport diving and fishing sites.
Marine protected areas combine conservation with the development of tourism, and in this respect are the marine equivalents of national parks. One of the most famous marine reserves is the world famous “Aliwal Shoal”; voted one of the worlds top ten dive sites by non other than Jacques Cousteau.
Aliwal Shoal is a sub-tidal reef situated just 5km off the Kwazulu-Natal south coast (near the towns of Umkomaas and Scottburgh). The shoal supports a spectacular coral community, including 15 species of hard corals and four species of soft corals. The diverse fish fauna is a popular attraction for scuba divers, fishermen and spear-fishermen. Many endangered species of endemic reef fish are found on the shoal, as well as ragged-tooth and tiger sharks.
The Aliwal Shoal has been the site of great conflict between user groups in the past. Agreements have now been reached with respect to partitioning of use between fishing, scuba and spear-fishing. The protected area will serve many functions, including conservation of the unique reef fauna, control of user-conflict and development of a world-renowned diving site.
"Aliwal Shoal has long been in need of protection", Minster of Tourism, Marthinus Van Schalkwyk said. "The diving industry in particular will benefit, and KwaZulu-Natal will add another well-managed natural resource to its already impressive list of tourist destinations."
South Africa’s first marine expo came about due to concern for the environment from many commercial operators concerned about oceanographic education and conservancy. Where better to hold a trade and consumer show for all water-borne sports than KwaZulu-Natal’s south coast; home to two marine reserves and six blue flag beaches. Join us and surfing, fishing, jet-skiing, wake boarding, diving and spear-fishing.
The Africa Marine Expo will have several unique offerings, never witnessed before in South Africa.
The first amazing offer is a ‘tag and release’ fishing competition to raise awareness of our diminishing fish stocks. The competition will be a family orientated event with a twist of parents being able to teach his children to fish in a relaxed and fun-filled atmosphere. There will be family entertainment for the whole weekend guaranteed to keep everyone happy, whatever your budget.
The second offering, will be for consumers interested in learning a new sporting discipline the chance to learn to jet ski, kayak, scuba or surf, if fishing is not in your genes. Free transport will be on hand to whisk families away to the closest ski-boat site, dive site or the best breaks on the South Coast.
The third unique offer will be to participate in one of the largest open air fish braai’s in the world. South Coast Tourism already holds the Guinness World Record, however this time we will host a family fish braai with a focus on sustainable fish stocks and shift consumer demand away from over-exploited species to more sustainable options. This will be conducted in partnership with SASSI.
The Southern African Sustainable Seafood Initiative (SASSI) was initiated in November 2004 in order to inform and educate all participants in the seafood trade, from wholesalers to restaurateurs through to seafood lovers. The initiative builds on an earlier project started in the KwaZulu-Natal Province which sought to educate restaurant dealers about the Marine Living Resources Act and other marine conservation issues. SASSI has three primary objectives:
- Promote voluntary compliance of the law through education and awareness
- Shift consumer demand to more sustainable options
- Create awareness around marine conservation issues.
The Africa Marine Expo will also celebrate tourism month and the 150th Birthday of the town of Scottburgh.
For consumer enquires including accommodation contract South Coast Tourism on 039 6827944 or ‘info@tourismsouthcoast.co.za and for trade enquires contact Joan Harris on joan@scottburgh.co.za
