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Fresh water aquaculture in South Africa is severely limited by the dry climate
of the region. Most of the country experiences very low rates of annual
rainfall, and even in locales where rainfall is significant, the rivers
carry high silt loads and are, therefore, less than ideal for aquaculture.
Declines in marine fish stocks have made mariculture look more attractive,
and technological advances could open additional coastal areas for use by
fish culturists. Marine aquaculture is, at present, practiced mainly in
Saldanha Bay on the west coast and in Algoa Bay on the southeast coast.
Mussels and oysters form the majority of current mariculture production.
Ornamental fish seem to hold the best promise for expansion of the freshwater
aquaculture industry. (Peter Cook, 12/,95) |