ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY
Sea Harvest Group acknowledges that, as a leading, responsible and global agri-business, it is imperative that we integrate sustainable business practices throughout our operations. We have adopted a collaborative approach with our business partners, employees and other stakeholders. This is to protect our environment and promote the conservation of our natural resources for the company’s long-term sustainability and the prosperity of current and future generations.
PROTECTING THE ENVIRONMENT
While we endeavour to protect our environment in all operations, we are proud of also playing our part in driving community participation. These include clean-ups of beaches and waterways, which further support sustainable campaigns, such as the upcycling of single-use plastics.
This has resulted in educating the community at large; partnering with non-governmental organisations (NGO’s) to upskill potential artisans, and enhancing employment opportunities, while empowering deserving beneficiaries or institutions in local communities. Through all of this, we support a circular waste economy that not only benefits our communities but our environment too.
CONSERVING WATER
50% through various water conservation initiatives.
These included installing a seawater supply line that enabled us to do our initial rinse in the factory with seawater; hygiene water pressure was increased to reduce the volume required; freshwater line inspections were increased, reducing time spent on repairs and daily monitoring and reporting of freshwater consumption in factories.
These freshwater savings were supported by the installation of our desalination and reverse osmosis plant at our largest processing plant in Saldanha Bay. In order to limit the environmental impact of the desalination plant we have developed a way to dilute our brine waste and conserve energy utilised by the plant.
CONSERVING ENERGY
In alignment with South Africa’s 2030
Energy plan and investment in renewable
energy, the Buffeljags site has invested in
Going Green wind power, ensuring the
aquaculture plant is sustainable.
The implementation of an eco-friendlier power supply has reduced our electricity consumption. Energy consumption over the weekends has also been drastically reduced by ensuring only necessary equipment is in operation as per production demands.
REDUCING AND RECYCLING OUR WASTE
We avoid sending waste to landfill, even food residue is actively recycled, resulting in the production of fishmeal or animal feed.
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.
SUSTAINABLE FARMING
Sea Harvest is committed to environmentally responsible and sustainable seafood farming practices. All of the Group’s farming operations have undertaken an environmental impact assessment as a mechanism in identifying, assessing and reporting the environmental impacts to ensure that Sea Harvest limits its impact on the environment.
Throughout its operations, Sea Harvest deploys many environmental management tools such as method statements; inspections; checklists and undergoes rigorous internal and external audits to ensure that its commitment to environmental health remains unwavering. All of these environmental protection measures are supported with contingency plans that cater for environmental emergencies should they be required.