Sustainability

Last updated: 28 June 2026

Sustainability in South Africa's seafood industry depends on making responsible choices between farmed and wild caught fish. Wild caught fish can be sustainable when stocks are well managed, fishing methods are selective, and quotas are properly enforced. However, overfishing, bycatch, habitat damage and illegal fishing can place pressure on vulnerable species. Programmes such as WWF-SASSI help South African consumers and businesses make better seafood choices by assessing fisheries and encouraging responsible sourcing across the seafood supply chain.

Farmed fish, or aquaculture, can reduce pressure on wild fish stocks and provide a reliable source of seafood, but it must be managed responsibly. Good aquaculture practices include clean water management, responsible feed sourcing, disease control, and avoiding pollution of surrounding ecosystems. In South Africa, sustainable seafood should not be judged only by whether it is farmed or wild caught, but by the species, origin, farming or fishing method, and whether the supplier can show responsible sourcing. Choosing green-listed or responsibly sourced seafood supports healthier oceans, local jobs and long-term food security.