Sustainable seafood consumption in South Africa, trends and challenges

WITH South Africans consuming more seafood than ever before, up from an estimated 325 000 tonnes in 2022 to 350 000 tonnes in 2024, the WWF's Southern African Sustainable Seafood Initiative (WWF-Sassi), maintains that sustainability must be top of mind.

- STAFF REPORTER

Alongside an increase in consumption, there is also a growing awareness among consumers of the need to source seafood more sustainably up from 47% to 52% over the same period, says Sassi. The results of this survey are contained in the 2024 WWF-Sassi Retailer and Supplier Participation Scheme (RSPS) report.

The conservation organisation says the demand for seafood (wild caught in particular) remains popular due to perceptions of superior quality, lower carbon footprints, health benefits and natural sourcing, often associated with richer flavours and authenticity.

South Africa accounted for 1.7% of the global fresh fish market and is projected to lead Africa in seafood revenue by 2030. The local seafood market reached R57.7bn ($3.13bn) in 2024.

"A sustainable fishery is one in which exploitation of the target stock is not at the detriment of the population, impact of the interaction with marine ecosystems is minimised, and overall management of the fishery significantly improves," the report said.