Aquaculture in South Africa

South Africa has an emerging aquaculture. It consists mainly of culture of freshwater species such as crocodiles, trout, catfish, tilapia and ornamental fish as well as marine species such as abalone, prawns, oysters and mussels. South Africa has an emerging aquaculture. It consists mainly of culture of freshwater species such as crocodiles, trout, catfish, tilapia and ornamental fish as well as marine species such as abalone, prawns, oysters and mussels. According to the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, 'Aquaculture in South Africa is divided into freshwater aquaculture and marine aquaculture. Freshwater fish culture is severely limited by the supply of suitable water. The most important areas for the production of freshwater species are the Limpopo, Mpumalanga Lowveld and Northern Kwazulu–Natal. Trout is farmed along the high mountain in Lydenburg area, Kwazulu-Natal Drakensberg and the Western Cape. Other freshwater species cultivated on a small scale include catfish, freshwater crayfish and tilapia species. Marine aquaculture is a fast developing sector, with a focus on mussels, oysters, abalone, seaweeds and prawns. Of these, mussel farming is the best established. abalone culture is now well established, centred in the Hermanus area on the Cape south coast. There is also an experimental offshore farm (cage culture) off Gansbaai for salmon.' Export data from the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries indicate that the South African industry is dominated by the Western Cape province, which accounts for more than 80% of all South African aquaculture produce, followed by the Eastern Cape at a distant 12.75%.