World Wildlife Fund-South Africa last week partnered with four large fishing companies to launch the Responsible Fisheries Alliance (RFA).
The RFA’s purpose is to ensure that the participants — I&J, Oceana, Sea Harvest and Viking — support implementation of an ecosystem-based approach to managing South Africa’s fisheries.
“Fishing companies and environmental NGOs are often perceived to share little common ground,” said Dr. Samantha Petersen, manager of WWF’s sustainable fisheries program. “But in reality, responsible fishing companies that are committed to a long-term business view have a great deal in common with rational environmental NGOs that are committed to sustainable development goals. It is against this background that the concept of a RFA was born.”
Dr. Valli Moosa, former South Africa minister of environmental affairs and tourism and former president of the World Conservation Union, also supports the RFA.
“The RFA will facilitate the support of the regulatory framework by sharing the responsibility of the wise management of our oceans and providing additional resources to furthering the World Summit for Sustainable Development Goal of implementing [an ecosystem-based approach to managing South Africa’s fisheries] by 2012,” said Moosa.
