IMPROVING LIVES THROUGH DATA ECOSYSTEMS

The total income in the ocean (marine) fisheries and related services industry in 2018 was R16,1 billion, which is an increase of 3,8% over the total income reported in 2017 (R15,5 billion).

In 2018, the top 10 enterprises in the ocean (marine) fisheries and related services industry contributed 68,5% to the total income, and the top 50 contributed 86,9%. Over time, the concentration ratios generally decreased. Across all categories shown in Table B (i.e. from CR5 to CR100), the concentration ratios were highest in 2014 and lowest in 2018.

The number of persons employed in the ocean (marine) fisheries and related services industry in 2018 was

16 378. This represents a decrease of 294 (or -1,8%) in the number of persons employed compared with 2017. The largest number of persons employed in 2018 was male employees 11 059 (or 67,5%).

Large enterprises (those with annual income equal to or greater than R22,5 million) contributed 89,3% of the total income of the ocean (marine) fisheries and related services industry in 2018, whereas their contribution to employment was 78,9%. Small, medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs) contributed 10,7% to the total income, but their percentage contribution to employment was almost double at 21,1%.

Average annual salaries and wages in the ocean (marine) fisheries and related services industry increased by 9,3% between 2017 and 2018 (from R152 999 to R167 200).

The total sales and transfers-out of own-caught fish and other fish products increased by 23,8% between 2017 and 2018 (from R4,7 billion to R5,8 billion). Comparing 2017 and 2018, the largest increases were reported for ‘anchovy’ (+R472,5 million), ‘squid’ (+R321,2 million) and ‘hake’ (+R151,4 million).

The total sales and transfers-out of processed fish in the ocean (marine) fisheries and related services industry in 2018 was R8,8 billion. This represents a decrease of 2,7% from R9,0 billion in 2017. The largest decreases were reported for ‘fish, otherwise prepared or preserved’ (-R498,9 million) and ‘flours, meals or pellets of fish, crustaceans, molluscs and aquatic invertebrates, inedible’ (-R83,2 million). Sales of ‘fish, otherwise prepared or preserved’ remained the largest contributor to the total sales and transfers-out of processed fish (46,1% in 2014, 48,7% in 2015, 52,8% in 2017  and 48,6% in 2018).