![\"fig1\"](\"https:\/\/www.statssa.gov.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/fig1.png\")
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Hake<\/b><\/p>\n
Hake, together with Cape horse mackerel, is still regarded as being under optimal stock status. Sold as the fish component of fish and chips with salt and vinegar and tartare sauce, hake is one of the most common fish in South Africa. Caught in the Atlantic Ocean, it is also a valuable fish resource for the country, with exports to countries such as\u00a0Spain, France, Portugal, Italy, Australia and the USA.<\/p>\n
The closing stock of hake rose by 34,4% over a ten-year period, from 419\u00a0000 tons in 2005 to 563\u00a0000 tons in 2014. Total catches of hake climbed from 143\u00a0000 tons in 2005 to 155\u00a0000 tons in 2014, constituting a rise of 8,4%.<\/p>\n
Cape horse mackerel<\/b><\/p>\n Cape horse mackerel is caught as a bycatch of hake and is used locally and exported as a cheap source of protein.<\/p>\n The closing stock of Cape horse mackerel rose from 405\u00a0750 tons in 2005 to 579\u00a0474 tons in 2014, which is a rise of 42,8%. Total catches declined by 60,4%, from 40\u00a0195 tons in 2005 to 15\u00a0900 tons in 2014.<\/p>\n South Coast rock lobster<\/b><\/p>\n South Coast rock lobster supports the second largest lobster fishery in South Africa, and is restricted to the commercial sector. Specialised equipment and large ocean-going vessels are required for harvesting this species, as it is a deep-sea creature.<\/p>\n The closing stock of South Coast rock lobster fell by 21,4%, from 1\u00a0358 tons in 2005 to 1\u00a0067 tons in 2014. Total catches fell from 382\u00a0tons in 2005 to 359 tons in 2014, denoting a decline of 6,0%.<\/p>\n West Coast rock lobster<\/b><\/p>\n When you see a large West Coast rock lobster in the aquarium, the chances are that it is already 30 years old and can live up to 50 years! They are most commonly sought after for the white meat tail, which is regarded as a delicacy.<\/p>\n The closing stock of West Coast rock lobster rose from 19\u00a0871 tons in 2005 to 20\u00a0326 tons in 2014, which is a rise of 2,3%. Total catches fell by 20,1% over the same period, from 2\u00a0704 tons to 2\u00a0160 tons.<\/p>\n Download the Environmental Economic Accounts Compendium <\/i>here<\/a>.<\/p>\n References <\/b><\/p>\n Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, 2014. Status of the South African Marine Fishery Resources, 2014<\/i>. Cape Town. http:\/\/www.daff.gov.za\/daffweb3\/Branches\/Fisheries-Management\/Fisheries-Research-and-Development\/ResourceR<\/a><\/p>\n South African National Biodiversity Institute. http:\/\/www.sanbi.org\/creature\/south-african-abalone<\/a><\/p>\n World Wide Fund, 2011. Fisheries: Facts and Trends in South Africa. <\/i>http:\/\/www.wwf.org.za\/media_room\/publications\/?7004\/fisheries-facts-and-trends<\/a><\/p>\n Two Oceans Aquarium. http:\/\/www.aquarium.co.za\/species\/entry\/west_coast_rock_lobster<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Next time you dig into a delicious plate of fish and chips, take a moment to ponder the value of seafood as a natural resource. Stats SA\u2019s latest Environmental Economic Accounts Compendium provides estimates of quantities of fish available in our oceans, as well as data on catch numbers. The oceans that straddle the Southern read more »<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n