Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (DTIC) - Aquaculture Development and Enhancement Programme (ADEP)

The Aquaculture Development and Enhancement Programme (ADEP) is a cost-sharing incentive programme for projects in primary, secondary and ancillary aquaculture activities (see below for an explanation and a list of eligible projects). These include both marine and freshwater classifications SIC 132 (fish hatcheries and fish farms) as well as SIC 301 and 3012 (production, processing and preserving of aquaculture fish).

The incentive is available to South African businesses, higher education institutions and research institutions to purchase machinery, equipment, bulk infrastructure, leasehold improvements or improvements that will enhance the competitiveness of the project, where the lease agreement is at least 10 years. The incentive finance covers 10% to 50% of the required finance but may not exceed R 20 million.  It also covers rental costs only for small black businesses which is capped at R20000.

Note: This is a reimbursable fund which means you have to pay for the goods or services first and then claim the appropriate amount back from the ADEP fund.

Eligible projects include:

• Primary aquaculture operations
  
• Broodstock operations.
• Seed production operations.
• Juvenile (spat, fry, fingerling) operations, including hatchery and nursery facilities.
• On-growing operations, including (but not limited to) rafts, net closures, net pens, cages, tanks raceways and ponds.
• Secondary aquaculture operations
  
• Primary processing for aquaculture (post-harvest handling, gutting, packing and quick freezing).
• Secondary processing for aquaculture (filleting, portioning and packaging).
• Tertiary processing for aquaculture (value-adding such as curing, brining, smoking, further value-adding such as terrines, roulades and pates).
• Waste stream handling for aquaculture (extraction of fish oils, protein beneficiation, organic fertilisers, pet feeds and animal feeds).
• Ancillary aquaculture operations
  
• Aquaculture feed manufacturing operations.

Fill in their Application Form at the bottom of the website Aquaculture Development and Enhancement Programme (ADEP) Application form. Prior to filling it in, read through the Aquaculture Development and Enhancement Programme (ADEP) Guidelines.