April 2011 - Oceana Group

CORPORATE SOCIAL INVESTMENT :
CONSOLIDATING OUR EFFORT
An extensive review of the Corporate Social Investment (CSI) allocated to various
projects by Oceana Group Limited and its divisions showed that the company’s social
spending was having minimum impact because of the fragmented manner in which
it was being channelled. The review, which was conducted last year, triggered an
Executive Committee decision to refocus all CSI contributions to ensure that it yields
maximum benefit for communities, as well as demonstrate our commitment to
supporting government’s socio-economic and transformation objectives.
The revised CSI strategy will allow the Group to focus its efforts on sustainable
projects within the fishing communities that we operate and where the need for
increased social investment is evident. Projects that relate to education and food
security will specifically be identified, but, where possible, the company will seek to
create partnerships with community organisations to maximise funding benefits and
build capacity for delivery. A CSI Forum, consisting of a majority of the Executive
Committee members and the Sustainability Manager, has been established to
identify suitable projects and was due to make a decision on this at the end of
March.
In 2010, the total amount allocated to CSI by the Group was R4,9 million, which
translates into 1.6% of net profit after tax. The graph on the right shows the
breakdown of our CSI spend.
Research done on the fishing industry in South Africa and worldwide
has proven that there is a huge decline in the population of seabirds,
such as albatrosses and petrels. This is partly due to the lack of
awareness by crew of fishing vessels on how to handle such
creatures in distress.
As part of a huge endeavour by the World Wildlife Fund and
Birdlife South Africa to preserve our marine life, a training session
was held to educate the crew of the Desert Diamond on the handling
of seabirds while on the vessel. The main aim of the training was to
reduce the mortality of seabirds.
What causes the problem?
Seabirds are attracted to fishing vessels to feed on any offal that may
be around. Albatrosses are also able to dive approximately 10m
below the surface of the water and can get caught in lines and nets.
Once caught, they could possibly get dragged underwater and
drowned.
Why is there so much of concern for these creatures?
Even though only a few birds get caught on a vessel per year, the
number over time leads to thousands of seabird deaths each year.
Albatrosses and petrels are particularly vulnerable due to the fact that
they live long lives and breed very slowly. Hence for these seabirds,
every life saved will make a difference.
What are some practical ways to reduce seabird deaths on our vessels?
The Oceana Group in conjunction with the Birdlife Marine Programme Responsible Fisheries Project developed the following basic cartoon to
educate the crew of the Desert Diamond on what to do in a case where a bird is found in distress on the vessel.
The cartoon clearly shows that if distressed birds are handled in the correct manner, they will have a very good chance of survival. The key
message communicated is this: “Protecting marine life will protect the food chain and protecting the food chain will protect your
livelihood”.
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Education
Community & Rural
Development
Food Security
CSI SPEND
Welfare
Environmental
Conservation
Sports Development
OCEANA ENDEAVOURS TO KEEP
ENDANGERED MARINE LIFE OFF THE HOOK