Environmental Management
ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY
SEA HARVEST IS COMMITTED TO PROTECTING THE NATURAL ENVIRONMENT AND CONSERVING NATURAL RESOURCES BY ADOPTING SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS PRACTICES.
PROTECTING THE ENVIRONMENT
In the face of a changing climate, the Sea Harvest team works passionately to bring our harvests to your plate sustainably. We are cognisant of the impact that our operations can have on our sensitive ecosystems, and so we commit to continually improve the way we do business.
Climate change is one of the biggest threats to our natural environment and oceans. The Sea Harvest family is committed to aligning with our country’s policies in taking climate action now. We are committed to continually improving our measuring processes and systems that will enable us to set science-based carbon reduction targets.
We are proud of playing our part in cleaning our communities, spaces, and oceans. Some of our highlights include cleaning up waterways and beaches, upcycling of single-use plastics, and encouraging recycling.
We believe that the key to implementing sustainable business practices, successfully, is partnership. We will continue to partner with non-governmental organisations (NGO’s), upskill potential artisans, enhance employment opportunities, and empower local communities. These sustainable business practices are illustrated by our Marin Trust certification. Through this certification we guarantee that production is carried out to high standards of safety and quality, with sufficient care given to the environment, workforce and local community, while also supporting a circular economy that does not only benefit our communities but our environment too.
Read more about Sea Harvest Group’s environmental efforts and reporting in our ESG report
CONSERVING WATER
South Africa is a water scarce country, and the Western Cape has shouldered the brunt of severe droughts. Water is a precious resource that desperately needs to be conserved. Since we rely on water in our daily operations, we prioritise water conservation as a key action item. Our largest water savings have been achieved through the installation of a desalination and reverse osmosis plant at our largest processing plant in Saldanha Bay. To limit the environmental impact of the desalination plant, we have developed sophisticated methods of improving wastewater quality and conserving energy.
Further water savings across the Group are supported through conducting water audits, increased monitoring and reporting of freshwater consumption, efficiency measures, and the use of seawater for factory cleaning.
CONSERVING ENERGY
In alignment with South Africa’s 2030 Energy plan and investment in renewable energy, our aquaculture farm in Buffeljags, along the Cape coast in South Africa, has invested in Going Green with wind power to ensure that it is sustainable. The site has installed two 650kW wind turbines to help power the farm. Further to this, there are five solar installations at the Group’s other sites, totalling 3,058kWp (Aqunion Processing Facility: 172kWp; Aqunion Romansbaai Farm: 240kWp; Aqunion Whale Rock Farm: 654kWp; Marifeed: 115kWp; West Point Processing: 250kWp; and Ladismith Cheese: 1,628kWp. These installations allow the Group to mitigate operational risks by ensuring that it has a stable energy supply, while increasing the share of renewable energy in its overall mix of energy sources, and it supports our business growth by reducing energy costs.
Additionally, it aligns with our Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) goals, demonstrating our commitment to sustainability and responsible business practices. At other sites across the Group, other energy efficiency interventions include the installation of LED lights, a shift towards energy efficient equipment, and ensuring that equipment is only operated when necessary. At our largest factory in Saldanha, sub-meters have been installed for real-time monitoring of energy usage, traditional refrigeration techniques were replaced with efficient thermosiphon oil cooling systems, and various load management strategies have been implemented.
REDUCING AND RECYCLING OUR WASTE
As stewards of the ocean and the land, we acknowledge that we have a long journey in improving the way we manage our waste. Our first goal is to reduce waste wherever possible, and this begins in our operations. Our long-term targets include eliminating unnecessary and non-sustainable packaging and increasing the reuse, collection, and recycling of all waste. The Group is well on its way to completing its comprehensive packaging audits at all its subsidiaries to assess the quantity and environmental impact of its packaging materials. This is a crucial step in its sustainability strategy, enabling the company to identify areas for improvement, prioritise eco-friendly alternatives, and reduce waste.
Furthermore, by understanding its packaging footprint, the business can make informed decisions to enhance sustainability and minimise environmental impact. All facilities in the Sea Harvest Group have waste management plans in place and actively implement initiatives to reduce waste to landfill.
Trash-2-Treasure School Recycling Project
In 2023, Sea Harvest launched a legacy project called Trash-2-Treasure – our first innovative waste management initiative with staff and learners from schools in the Saldanha Bay Municipality. Our goals are to empower future leaders, minimise landfill waste from our operations, and enhance local recycling capabilities.
The Trash-2-Treasure project involved collaboration with the Saldanha Bay Municipality and local schools, establishing recycling areas in numerous schools equipped with bins and frames made from repurposed materials. We conducted educational sessions to promote environmental consciousness and recycling habits among learners. This initiative successfully diverted tonnes of recyclable materials from landfills and generated modest income for participating schools, receiving positive feedback on improved cleanliness and environmental awareness.
By continuing these efforts, we aim to extend the project to more schools and explore new community engagement approaches and in turn contribute to sustainable development and community well-being.
CLIMATE CHANGE
Sea Harvest is acutely aware of climate change and the impending carbon emission reporting requirements of the nation. We are committed to implementing robust measuring processes and systems that will enable us to set realistic carbon reduction targets and objectives.
To dive deeper into our carbon emissions and reporting, please refer to our ESG report.