Magister Philosophiae - MPhil (LAS) (Land and Agrarian Studies)Fish remains a vital source of food, income, nutrition and livelihoods for millions of people in
Africa. This study investigated the modalities of trading in fish imported from sub-Saharan
Africa into South Africa in the Cape Town Metropolitan area. The research analyses the
opportunities and constraints faced by retail fish traders and importers regarding the South
African and Southern African Development Community (SADC) policies that are in place, to
ascertain how far the policies go in facilitating the intra-regional fish trade. In addition, the
study analyses consumer factors underlying the attractiveness of imported fish, the channels
used for importation as well as the types and forms of fish imported into South Africa. The
study employs a qualitative approach using semi-structured interviews with purposively
selected key informant retailers, traders and City of Cape Town officials to collect the
information. Findings show that shop owners and traders face challenges in relation to
obtaining the required documents for trading, sanitary and phytosanitary certification and tariff
and non-tariff barriers at borders. Some of these challenges include long and tedious procedures
to acquire documents, as well as the limitations placed on the amount of goods traders can
import. Consumers (mostly from the diaspora) prefer the taste of fish that they are used to,
thereby creating an increasing demand for imported fish. National and regional policies put in
place do not facilitate the trade in fish as well as current municipal regulations for retailing
imported fish and other food types. The study also raises critical questions about the
implementation of sanitary and phytosanitary standards by officials in the food shops. The
thesis concludes that is it critical for national and regional policies to be coordinated and
harmonised for enhanced intra-regional fish trade, which could contribute towards increased
food security, nutrition and livelihoods
