Igniting the Ocean Economy in South Africa – Piloting Seaweed Cultivation

1.       BACKGROUND & CONTEXT

One in five South Africans live in extreme poverty, and the unemployment rate is 34.4% with 63% of youth aged 15 – 24 years old unemployed. The economic potential of South Africa’s oceans has not yet been unlocked, and it is estimated the blue economy could contribute up to R177 billion to the GDP by 2033, and between 800 000 and 1 million direct jobs.

The known seaweed diversity in South Africa includes approximately 900 species, making the country one of the richest marine floras in the world. Seaweeds are a valuable resource which can be grown with very little input costs such as land, water, fertilizer etc. There are also a wide range of products which can be derived from seaweeds and a diversified value chain. Internationally, seaweed aquaculture has grown faster than any other marine production sector over the last 20 years, and there is a growing body of literature that suggests that seaweed will become a major component of global marine aquaculture.

The farming of seaweed for direct human consumption does not take place on a significant scale in South Africa, particularly in comparison to other countries in the region. As FAO noted in 2018, “improving an understanding and awareness of the use of seaweed in human nutrition within the country cannot be over-emphasised” in order to promote socioeconomic benefits such as food security and poverty reduction” (FAO, 2018). 

Seaweed farming can offer the most vulnerable sectors in society alternative livelihood options, increased health and food security, and adaptation strategies to the changing climate. With the length of coastline and number of endemic species, South Africa has an uncapitalised comparative advantage in this sector. Blue innovation and enterprise development could have enormous impact, particularly for unemployed youth in coastal communities.

2. PROJECT OBJECTIVES

To pilot low-cost, low-tech seaweed cultivation in order to develop alternative livelihood options for coastal communities in South Africa. This pilot project will inform the design of enterprise development programmes to support entrepreneurs to develop seaweed cultivation businesses.

The Seaweed Cultivation Pilot aims to:

·       Test seaweed cultivation techniques and environmental factors for optimum growth rates;

·       Record data that will inform successful seaweed cultivation;

·       Share all findings of the project so that the methods and processes can be replicated;

·       Share all findings of the project with nearby coastal communities to demonstrate a viable alternative livelihood option.

3. SCOPE, TASKS AND EXPECTED DELIVERABLES

This assignment requires the engagement of an implementing partner to conduct a six month pilot project cultivating Gracilaria in the Saldanha Bay Aquaculture Development Zone in the Western Cape.

The partner will be responsible for full implementation of the pilot, for example from planning, daily implementation, reporting, and delivering on all project targets. 

The partner should currently have water rights or the ability to apply for a research permit, or should demonstrate a partnership with an organisation / individual that currently has water rights or the ability to apply for a research permit.

The partner must be willing to work in collaboration with the Department of Forestry Fisheries and Environment (DFFE) and share all progress reports and learnings with DFFE and UNDP throughout the project.

The pilot project will run for six months, with the following project deliverables:

·       Documenting all data on the growth rates and health of Gracilaria in relation to the testing of various cultivation techniques, including both horizontal and vertical ropes as well as any other relevant cultivation techniques, and creating a report of findings;

·       Harvesting of at least 500Kg of wet Gracilaria;

·       Production of 50kg of dry, powdered Gracilaria;

·       Preparation of powdered product for export (packaging, export documentation etc);

·       Conducting two workshops with community members to share the cultivation process in order for possible replication by other individuals / organisations;

·       Develop a final project report on all findings, with the aim of the report being to provide a roadmap for the replication of the project.

The following is a non-exhaustive list of tasks to complete this project, provided as an example:

1. Seeding;

1.1. Gracilaria seeding and growing in laboratory;

1.2. Rope seeding;

2. Grow out;

2.1. Procurement and installation of rafts / ropes, including regular maintenance;

2.2. Weekly checks and reporting on: growth rates; biofouling and removal of biofouling; raft condition; water quality samples.

3. Harvesting and Processing;

3.1. Harvest samples throughout project for any necessary testing;

3.2. Harvest 500kg wet Gracilaria.

3.3. Dry Gracilaria through exposure to sun to produce at least 50kg dried product;

3.4. Process into powdered form;

3.5. Store in appropriate containers.

4. Reporting and Lessons Learned

4.1. Conduct two community workshops to unpack lessons learned on the project and provide community members with a roadmap to replicate the project;

4.2. Complete a final report, documenting all data collected across the project, and documenting a blueprint / roadmap for the project to be successfully replicated or scaled.