A review of aquaculture in the Western Cape: History, status and future potential

Abstract

South Africa’s aquaculture sector has shown remarkable resilience to ecological, social and policy changes over its existence. This review traces the origin of freshwater and marine aquaculture in the Western Cape Province – one of the country’s four coastal provinces. Starting with oyster farming attempts as early as the 17th century, farming operations have since evolved into a multimillion-rand sector with a wide range of stakeholders as well as lucrative overseas and local markets. Commercial oyster cultivation was first established in the late 1940s, with mussel farming following 30 years later. Abalone farming was pioneered in the late 1980s, emerging against a backdrop of severe overfishing and growing exponentially since. Concurrently, freshwater aquaculture found its origins in colonial-era sport fishing, with trout farming originating in the late 19th century and the Jonkershoek hatchery (founded 1893) underpinning its development. While tilapia culture, introduced in the 1930s, and the ornamental fish sector exist, they remain limited in the Western Cape because of climatic and economic factors. Currently defined by dominant marine production and niche freshwater operations, the sector, despite enduring challenges ranging from climate constraints, illegal harvesting and local market resistance to freshwater-farmed fish, has evolved into a domestically significant sector with established international markets, demonstrating remarkable resilience while retaining substantial potential for sustainable expansion.

Significance:

This review provides a deeper understanding of the Western Cape’s aquaculture sector, its historical development and the complex forces that continue to shape its trajectory against the backdrop of unprecedented climate change.