Angola's building new fleet of 600 fishing boats

The first deliveries are now being made to Angola in a $200 million project for the country to build 600 fishing vessels in China, Portugal, Spain and Poland. Details of this 'instant fleet' project emerged at the recent Fish Africa 2007 exhibition held in Cape Town, South Africa, which is sponsored by FNI. The vessels will comprise inshore boats, longliners and purse seiners of up to 34 metres long, plus ten patrol vessels and an 89 metre fuel supply ship. Pictured is Namibe V, one of five purse seiners built in South Africa by Tallie Marine to start off Angola's fleet renewal project.

Ian Strutt reports from the Fish Africa 2007 show in Cape Town

THREE years of improved recruitment to South Africa's hake stocks and fleet conservation moves developed by the industry are lifting the outlook for the country's hakecatching industry.

South Africa has made two 10% hake TAC cuts, but the next move could be a precautionary reduction of just 5 or 6%, it is being speculated.

Earnings for fishing companies have been assisted by improved catch rates, a better species mix and a lower South African rand, which improves export returns.

While

Fisheries

Angola's building new fleet of 600 fishing boats