Feasibility study for the development of an integrated mariculture industry in Diamond Area I, Oranjemund, Namibia
Date
2009-03
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
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Publisher
Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University
Abstract
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The Division of Aquaculture, Stellenbosch University (SU) was commissioned jointly by Namdeb Diamond
Corporation (Pty) Ltd (Namdeb) and the Oranjemund Town Management Company Limited (OTMCo) to
assess the aquaculture potential of the mining area at Oranjemund in Namibia. This document provides a
proposal for the establishment of a marine finfish (yellowtail, Seriola lalandi) farm at Oranjemund. There
appears to be considerable potential and as such this document provides a proposal for the establishment of a
marine finfish (yellowtail, Seriola lalandi) farm at Oranjemund. A 5 000 metric ton (mt) yellowtail farm would
have a turnover of about N$ 115 million per year and provides direct employment for about 200 people.
Oranjemund is located immediately north of the Orange River at the most south-western corner of Namibia,
approximately 1000 kilometers southwest of the capital, Windhoek. Namdeb currently operates an alluvial
diamond mining operation along a 160 kilometer (km) stretch of the southern Namibia coastline, but is
expected to downscale their activities significantly over the next 5 to 10 years.
Aquaculture, the cultivation of fish, shellfish and aquatic plants, is the fastest growing food producing industry
in the world and has considerable potential to contribute to the establishment of a vibrant post-mining economy
in Oranjemund. The marine finfish industry is the most important and valuable aquaculture sector in many
countries and is expected to grow significantly over the medium term, thereby also offering exciting
opportunities for investment and business participation.
The yellowtail farm venture is part of a greater plan to develop a vertically integrated aquaculture cluster at
Oranjemund. The yellowtail development will be conducted in two phases, with Phase 1 the establishment of a
pilot project to assess and confirm technical and financial feasibility. Phase 2 is the development of a 1 000 mt
commercial farm. Other species being considered for development at Oranjemund include abalone (Haliotis
midae), turbot (Psetta Maxima), rock lobster (Jasus lalandi) and oysters (Crassostria gigas).
Several companies in South Africa are currently actively pursuing aquaculture expansion opportunities along
both the west and east coasts of South Africa. Key amongst these is the development of abalone farms at
Hondeklip Bay and Port Nolloth in the Northern Cape Province of South Africa by HIK Abalone Farm (Pty) Ltd
(HIK) and NewFarmers Development Company Limited (NewF). The development of abalone and yellowtail
farming at Oranjemund has been positioned as a further extension of the abovementioned initiative with HIK,
NewF and a finfish fingerling supplier as potential operating, investment and development partners. The
proposed business structure of the project provides investment opportunities for both institutional and Black
Economic Empowerment (BEE) investors as well as employee equity instruments.
Namibia’s economic prospects for the future are bright given its stable economic performance, good regulatory
framework, and robust private sector. The country has experienced steady growth, moderate inflation, strong
external surpluses and low indebtedness over the past several years as a result of generally prudent fiscal
policies, a stable political environment, a fairly developed infrastructure, and a strong legal and regulatory
environment. Economic growth since independence (1991) has averaged 4.3% per annum, and the World
Bank’s Investment Climate Assessment Report currently notes that Namibia has a relatively attractive
investment climate.
The Government of Namibia has identified aquaculture as a prime priority development area. Both Vision 2030
and the NDP2 documents summon the country’s urgency to develop aquaculture and as such the Namibian
Government has created an enabling environment for investment in aquaculture.
Description
Thesis (MSc)--Stellenbosch University, 2009.
Keywords
Aquaculture -- Namibia -- Oranjemund, Feasibility studies -- Namibia -- Oranjemund, Aquaculture industry -- Namibia -- Oranjemund, Dissertations -- Agricultural economics, Theses -- Agricultural economics