A Fisherman's Place - 21 Jan 2021
Sustainable Development Goals within SA Aquatic Ecosystem
A Closer Look at Goal 14, Junk Stars and Hout Bay’s Clean Up Initiatives
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Pescaluna is a captain of fresh fish delivery in Cape Town and a proud advocate for longline sustainability. We deliver fresh fish to your door in Cape Town straight from our dock in Hout Bay, covered in grease paper and brown wrap, to ensure we lock in absolute freshness.
In this article, we look at Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and really delve into Goal 14. We also explore some of Hout Bay’s innovative cleanup initiatives like Hout Bay Harbour Clean Up and Junk Stars.
What are Sustainable Development Goals?
The Sustainable Development Goals, also known as Global Goals, consist of 17 integrated goals to achieve equilibrium within social, economic and environmental sustainability. The aim of this manual is for the globe’s citizens to unite and put an end to poverty, protect the planet and ensure that all people relish in peace and prosperity by 2030. The United Nations Members States adopted this universal call-to-action in 2015, and have been implementing initiatives in over 170 countries worldwide.Let’s take a look at these goals:
1. Zero Poverty;
2. Zero Hunger;
3. Health and Wellbeing;
4. Quality Education;
5. Gender Equality;
6. Clean Water and Sanitation;
7. Affordable, Clean Energy;
8. Decent Work and Economic Growth;
9. Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure;
10. Reduced Inequalities;
11. Sustainable Cities and Communities;
12. Responsible Consumption and Production;
13. Climate Action;
14. Life Below Water;
15. Life on Land;
16. Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions;
17. Partnership for the Goals
The Sustainable Development Goals is an agenda commitment to eradicating poverty, ensuring gender equality and achieving sustainable development by 2030 globally, ensuring that no one is left behind.
Pescaluna dives into Goal 14, which promotes sustainability within the aquatic ecosystem.
Goal 14: Life Below Water
There are millions of people who depend on marine and coastal biodiversity for their livelihoods. The world’s oceans drive global systems that make the Earth habitable for humankind, and if we abuse the resources provided by our rich aquatic ecosystem, we risk tipping the scales of sustainable development for good.
The fishing industry has provided South Africa with economic growth, job opportunities, intercontinental relationships and food for centuries. Today we are seeing 30% of our Earth’s fish populations overexploited, this is far greater than their ability to reproduce before extinction. Moreover, marine pollution is at an all-time high, and an overwhelming cause of this is related to land-based sources.
Goal 14 aims to sustainably manage and protect our world’s marine and coastal biodiversity from pollution, as well as to address the impacts of ocean acidification. The agenda aims to enhance the sustainable use of aquatic resources through international law, which will help mitigate some of the challenges facing our oceans.
Have a look at some of the terrifying challenges our oceans face:
Facts & Figures
● Pollution: Almost 40% of the world’s oceans are heavily affected by pollution, depleted fisheries and loss of coastal habitats.
● Acidification: The ocean absorbs 30% of our population’s carbon dioxide, which speeds up global warming.
Pescaluna is an advocate for longline sustainability and is a proud member of the South African Hake Longline Association. SAHLLA promotes sustainability of hake species through longline fishing methods, leaving other aquatic species unhindered.
Goal 14 Targets
Protecting our marine ecosystem and promoting sustainability seems like an overwhelming responsibility and task. But the oceans have their bodyguards, and organisations like SAHLLA, MSC and SASSI are hard at work implementing Goal 14 strategies on a daily basis. Have a look at some of the targets that Goal 14 wants to achieve in the next decade.
● 2020: By 2020 Goal 14 aims to effectively regulate the harvesting of aquatic ecosystems and eradicate overfishing and destructive fishing practices like trawling. This is meant to help restore fish species populations in a short time.
● By 2025: Goal 14 aims to significantly reduce marine pollution of all kinds, specifically that of land-based activities such as marine debris and nutrient pollution.
● By 2030: Goal 14 aims to increase the economic benefits within developing countries that sustainably use marine resources. This will be achieved through the sustainable management of fisheries, aquaculture and tourism.
You don’t have to be an authoritative organisation to implement change - it starts with you. Let’s look at a brilliant cleanup initiative, the Hout Bay Harbour Clean Up - sponsored by Pescaluna; a fresh fish pioneer in Cape Town that delivers the highest standard of prime seafood straight to your door in Cape Town from our dock in Hout Bay.
“Hake longline fish is our speciality and it finds high demand in markets all over the world including, but not limited to, Spain and France where it is enjoyed as Africa's Greatest Catch.
We provide fresh and frozen fish around the world with over 20 years of experience in sustainable fishing practices and culinary knowledge.”
- Team Pesca
Hout Bay Harbour Clean Up
The Hout Bay Harbour Clean Up is an NPO organisation made up of willing volunteers who care deeply about our oceans and a sustainable future. Much like Goal 14 and its targets, the Hout Bay Harbour Clean Up team have big ambitions of their own.
● They aim to create clean and healthy environments at their harbour for marine life and tourists.
● They want to achieve Blue Flag status (an award given to the safest, cleanest, and environment-friendly beaches of the world) for Hout Bay harbour’s two marinas.
● They hope to continue raising funds to support their activities as an NPO.
● They aim to include and involve local communities through sustainable education.
Next up we look at Junk Stars, an extension NPO of the Hout Bay Harbour Clean Up group that rewards people for the trash they pick up. Junk Stars do their bit to contribute to the environment and combat poverty.
Junk Stars
Junk Stars is an NPO that’s dedicated to alleviating poverty in local communities and promoting healthy environments for residents and aquaculture alike. They strive to be the most effective and sustainable recycling model in South Africa.
These marine-sustainability warriors reward people who drop off bags of trash accumulated from the beaches and the streets, by giving them food and hygiene parcels (toilet paper, toothbrushes, toothpaste, deodorant and more), and discounts on retail items. Because they are an NPO, they are heavily reliant on funding and sponsorship from the public.
All this talk about sustainability and trash must have you hungry. Trawl Pescaluna’s fresh fish menu and read about our pledge to sustainability.
Fresh Fish Delivery in Cape Town
Fish processing involves many elements, and one that is often taken for granted, or severely overlooked, is fish packaging - which plays an important role in the selling of fish. Many people realise the importance of packaging to protect the product, but what many forget, is that it contributes to good sales appeal and customer satisfaction. That’s why Pescaluna delivers fresh fish in Cape Town, straight to your door from our dock in Hout Bay,