CAPE TOWN, Oct. 9 (Xinhua) — South Africa’s ocean economy has attracted more than 4 billion rand (about 233 million U.S. dollars) in investment over the past decade, Minister of Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment Dion George said Thursday. In a statement, George highlighted the potential of the country’s oceans, saying they could contribute billions to the economy and create hundreds of thousands of jobs if managed sustainably. According to George, these projections are supported by the Oceans Economy Master Plan, which projects a contribution of 166 billion rand to gross domestic product and more than 600,000 jobs by 2035. “Aquaculture, fisheries, coastal tourism, and marine conservation are key to this vision, especially for coastal provinces with high unemployment,” he added. Launched in 2014, the government’s Operation Phakisa program aims to unlock the economic potential of the oceans. According to the Department of Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment (DFFE), the program has already made significant progress, with aquaculture emerging as a major driver of marine-sector activity and employment. “Marine Protected Areas are boosting coastal tourism, from diving to whale watching, while ensuring biodiversity is safeguarded,” George said. “Marine Spatial Planning is balancing economic activity with ecological care by zoning ocean use for maximum benefit.” He noted that finishing harbors are being revitalized through the Fishing for Freedom campaign, creating new jobs in fish processing, boatbuilding, and tourism. Meanwhile, the DFFE is advancing an inland fisheries policy to enhance food security and support rural enterprises. “Our aquaculture facilities, our harbors, and our marine protected areas are all proof that the ocean is not only heritage: it is also industry, tourism, and growth,” George said. “With the right management, our oceans are South Africa’s blue gold. They are a renewable source of jobs, revenue, and resilience. We are committed to unlocking this wealth for the benefit of all South Africans.” Enditem