The Royal Natal Yacht Club, Durban Harbour recently saw the launch of the SAIMI Net Making, Repair and Mending pilot project. Funded by the South African International Maritime Institute (SAIMI) with the Fisheries and Aquaculture Development Institute (FADI) as implementation partner; the project trains unemployed youth from coastal provinces in the ancient art of net making, mending & repair. The KZN leg of the net making training has 15 youth members from our coastal province learning the accredited skill of net repair. Learners are taught how to make nets, repair them using twine and basic tools. The technical skill is easily learnt and can quickly be converted to income generation in the short term. Besides servicing the local fishing industry, learners could seek to make & repair nets for other sectors such sports nets, cargo nets, storm nets etc. Importantly, Sulaiman Appoles Head of Projects at FADI explained, “This is a stepping-stone for unemployed youth into the oceans economy and fisheries value chain”. Equitable access and to be given the opportunity to participate in the blue economy is a priority, as explained by Appoles. Attending the launch was Logan Moodley, the Chairperson of the eThekwini Maritime Cluster, France Nhlapo Secretary: NAFCOC KZN as well as Colin Levine: CEO of The Oceans Alive Conservation Trust. Guests reflected on the importance of building strong community-based enterprises that bolster livelihoods, which is vital for coastal local economic development as well making the most of every opportunity.
“The importance of integrating local coastal communities into the greater oceans economy cannot be sufficiently emphasised. Fact is 90% of jobs can be learnt, give people a chance’’, Appoles stated. Because the training is accredited, it should help learners break into the fisheries & wider oceans economy sector, Appoles explained.
Besides the KZN, the training is also being conducted in the Northern Cape, Eastern Cape and on the West Coast. For more information regarding the project and how to get involved, reach out to FADI via the email: projects@fadi.org.za or call Jeremy Mariller: CEO FADI on 078 077 4138
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