SA FISHMEAL & PROTEIN Co
Fishmeal and Fish Oil Division
Fish Processing Establishment Number : FPE150970
- Fish Procurement and Processing
- Manufacturer and Supplier of Fishmeal and Fish Oil Products
- Blending Facility
- Manufacturer and Supplier of Liquid Fish (silage) Products
CAPE BIO LAND
Liquid Organic Fertiliser Division
Fish Processing Establishment Number : FPE150971
- Fish Procurement and Processing
- Manufacturer and Supplier of Fish Hydrolysates and Fish Emulsion Products
- Manufacturer and Supplier of Liquid and Dry Seaweed Products
- Prescription Blends
- Manufacturer and Supplier of Fishmeal and Fish Oil Products
ATLANTIS PROTEIN PRODUCTS
Trading and Export/Import Division
Fish Processing Establishment Number : FPE150966
- Local and International Procurement & Processing
- Import/Export Fishmeal and Fish Oil Products
- Export of Liquid Fish and Liquid Seaweed Products
- Manufacturer and Supplier of Ornamental Fish Food
- Producer of Fishmeal and Fish Oil Products
SA FISHMEAL & PROTEIN Co
Fishmeal and Fish Oil Division
Fish Processing Establishment Number : FPE150970
- Fish Procurement and Processing
- Manufacturer and Supplier of Fishmeal and Fish Oil Products
- Blending Facility
- Manufacturer and Supplier of Liquid Fish (silage) Products
CAPE BIO LAND
Liquid Organic Fertiliser Division
Fish Processing Establishment Number : FPE150971
- Fish Procurement and Processing
- Manufacturer and Supplier of Fish Hydrolysates and Fish Emulsion Products
- Manufacturer and Supplier of Liquid and Dry Seaweed Products
- Prescription Blends
- Manufacturer and Supplier of Fishmeal and Fish Oil Products
ATLANTIS PROTEIN PRODUCTS
Trading and Export/Import Division
Fish Processing Establishment Number : FPE150966
- Local and International Procurement & Processing
- Import/Export Fishmeal and Fish Oil Products
- Export of Liquid Fish and Liquid Seaweed Products
- Manufacturer and Supplier of Ornamental Fish Food
- Producer of Fishmeal and Fish Oil Products
Our Business Philosophy
As The Atlantis Sea-Agri Group, producer of fishmeal and fish oil products, our business philosophy guides us:
In harnessing the potential of people and ideas we convert the ordinary into value-added products and services that are both directly and indirectly beneficial to the communities we operate in, the fishing, feed, agriculture and aquaculture industries and the country at large.
We care about the people of our beautiful South Africa and actively apply ourselves to find ways to make a lasting and sustainable positive impact on every life we touch.
Atlantis Sea-Agri Group
Wilhelm van Zyl founded the Atlantis Sea-Agri Group in 2015 after a long career in the corporate sector of the fishing industry. Atlantis Sea-Agri Group, a proud producer of fishmeal and fish oil products, comprises an association of businesses and expertise that joined forces to maximize opportunities in supplying products and services to the fishing, feed, agriculture, aquaculture, and related industries.
As owners and shareholders of the associated businesses within the group, which produces fishmeal and fish oil products, we actively embrace common business values. We leverage our years of combined experience, market expertise, and shared services to create a brighter future for everyone involved with the Group. Our purpose is to continually seek opportunities to transform opportunity into sustainable value.
Experience of Shareholders and Directors
WILHELM VAN ZYL
DIRECTOR
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As a trained Industrial Engineer, Wilhelm has been involved in the local and international fishing industry for many years. His experience in the industry led to a strong sense of respect for fishermen, factory workers and business owners in this very challenging but rewarding environment. It is this respect that drove him to create the Seiner Group and Associated Operational Businesses to seek, facilitate and convert every available Opportunity into a Value Proposition for all stakeholders who are involved in, or who will become involved in the Group’s associated businesses in the future.
ANDRIES JAKOBUS STRYDOM
DIRECTOR
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As a trained Mechanical Engineer, Jako spent the most of his professional life in the fishing industry in a number of senior positions. He is a technical and production expert in fishmeal and fish oil operations, pilchard canning, fish hydrolysates and the general fish processing disciplines required in this very exciting and demanding industry. Jako completed a number of very successful projects during his career in the fishing industry, facilitated by his excellent technical and operational skills, and has valuable local and international experience of the full value chain of a number of fisheries.
Experience of Site Management
AJ STRYDOM
TECHNICAL SERVICES
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DANIEL VAN ZYL
BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT SERVICES
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Daniel grew up on the West Coast and has been closely associated with the fishing industry, coming from a “fishing industry family” background. This life-long exposure to a fishing industry culture, which was followed by a formal qualification as Industrial Engineer has lead to a keen interest in understanding the operational dynamics involved in the sourcing, transporting, offloading and processing of marine based raw materials for the production of various grades of fishmeal, fish oil, fish hydrolysate and liquid seaweed products for use as key ingredients in feed, agriculture, aquaculture and for domestic applications. His aptitude promotes a business outlook to always improve business and operations processes to assist the culture of the creation of available value and maximum organizational growth.
ERNEST THULANG
STEAM SERVICES SUPERVISOR
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Ernest has been with the business since its inception in 1998 and has earned the reputation of a very hard working, experienced and very loyal person. His knowledge of site operations, including fishmeal processing, fishmeal bagging and coal-fired steam boiler operation, and his hard work has propelled him from shift operator into his current position as Steam Services Supervisor.
JUDITH SIEBRITZ
SITE ADMINISTRATOR
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As Site Administrator she oversees all Business & Site related administrative activities and HR functions.
LUZUKO NTSIKA
SITE PROCESSING MANAGER
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Starting out as a General Worker a number of years ago, Luzuko established himself in the business and proved to be an individual with great communication and organising skills. He is in charge of all processing & dispatch related activities.
His insight into processes and operational flow, and his general knowledge of all site operations makes him a valuable asset to the site.
In 2012 a small processing facility – hidden away in the Southern corner in the Industrial Area in Atlantis, Western Cape, was discovered by its current shareholders. With years of experience in the fishing industry, the opportunity and challenge to resuscitate the dilapidated and non-compliant fish processing plant into a more sustainable fish processing facility, was pursued. The processing facility, which was originally bought from a meat processing company, underwent some major changes and upgrades over the years and the name was subsequently changed from: MALMESBURY STERILISASIE AANLEG to: SOUTH AFRICAN FISHMEAL & PROTEIN COMPANY.
However, turning matters around at the ailing plant required much more than a name change. At the time of purchase, the business was processing approximately 200 tons of raw fish per month, compared to conventional-sized South African Fishmeal plants that processed more than 15,000 tons of raw fish per month during the production season.
Challenging start
Without valid processing permits, processing licenses, and an updated air emission license, the company faced a challenging start, and growth was accompanied by monumental operational challenges and setbacks. Over time, the business secured more raw fish, fish offcuts, and other raw materials by providing excellent service and paying market-related prices for the raw fish and fish offcuts.
To avoid initial recurrences of serious breakdowns that nearly financially destroyed the business and to increase processing volumes, the business seized the opportunity to invest in new equipment imported over time from Denmark and Turkey. Since the business had no proven track record, it couldn’t secure funding for the upgrade projects from any commercial bank or any other institution at the time, and it had to finance the installation of the new equipment using its own shareholders’ funds.
Some of our customers in the early days greatly assisted in sustaining the business through the initial phase of its establishment and upgrades by making pre-payments. The Department of Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment provided advice and assistance that saved the project just as it was about to be turned down in the final phase of approval, leading to the business securing an Aquaculture Development program grant through the Department of Trade and Industry.
The DTI grant significantly relieved the financial challenges the business faced at the time, enabling the business to create job opportunities, employ many more people, and increase intake volumes for processing raw fish and fish offcuts.
Upgrades and progress
After completing the initial upgrade projects, we increased our processing capacity from 20 tons per day to the fully licensed capacity of 60 tons per day.
In 2015, we applied for a Fish Processing Establishment Right, which the authorities granted as FPE 150 970. Currently, our Business holds several Product Registrations for fishmeal and fish oil, a Sterilization Plant Permit, an Approved Air Emission License, Processing Permits, a license to Export its products, and various others. We acquired additional land from the City of Cape Town, and we are currently in the process of constructing new extended facilities.
The business survived the past number of years by employing innovative ideas on how to operate a small fish processing business in this robust environment, and how to maximise all available opportunities, amongst others following the motto of the late fishing industry pioneer, Mr. Pedro Williams – “never say no to a fish deal”; even if others may classify this as useless waste.
Atlantis Sea-Agri Products – producer of fishmeal and fish oil products
Job Creation & Efficiencies
In 2023, the business employs 24 people on a full-time permanent basis at our Atlantis facility, and an additional 8 on fixed-term contracts.
The process of purchasing and delivering raw fish, fish offcuts, and other raw materials to our processing facility in Atlantis has also generated many more jobs.
Suppliers from as far as Mossel Bay on the South Coast, Saldanha Bay, and St Helena Bay on the West Coast, along with processors in the wider Cape Town region, have been trucking in raw fish and fish offcuts. In the last couple of years, various suppliers have created a whole new micro-economy centered around collecting and supplying fish and fish offcuts to Atlantis.
The business now processes an average of 1,000 tons of fish per month or approximately 12,000 tons per annum. The limiting factor for further growth and expansion of the business remains the shortage of raw fish supply.
As a producer of fishmeal and fish oil products, SAFPRO processes approximately 150 tons for every 1 ton of installed production capacity, which is much higher than conventional processing plants. Our operating unit continues to excel in terms of production efficiencies, introducing new and unique fish and seaweed-based agricultural products into the South African economy over the last few years through our value-added processing lines.
Although our fish process volumes may be small compared to other established processing plants, we consistently punch way above our weight.
We currently sell most of our fishmeal, fish oil, and other agricultural products in South Africa, creating further downstream value and resulting in more local job creation. Our supply of critical feed ingredients such as fishmeal and fish oil, along with agriculture products like fish and seaweed-based hydrolysates, helps ensure food security by supporting vital downstream industries.
One of our strategic partners, the well-known ASA Products of Johannesburg, is currently supplying approximately 75% of the starter diets for small piglets in South Africa. SAFPRO has been their exclusive supplier for a number of years. ASA Products used to import fishmeal at great cost, but now they source all their fishmeal requirements from SA Fishmeal & Protein Company, saving the country valuable foreign currency. We also provide our products to other businesses in the feed, agriculture, and pet food sector.
Fish Protein Hydrolysates
Our Atlantis-based fish protein hydrolysate operation holds the distinction of being the largest supplier of fish-based protein hydrolysate fertilizer for the Agriculture Industry in South Africa.
We process raw fish, fish offcuts, and various seaweed species into liquid organic fertilizer and other innovative products.
Through our strategic partners in the Agriculture sector, we play a crucial role in significantly enhancing many local farming operations that have recently embraced new regenerative farming principles.
We actively contribute to the transformation of the agriculture industry by promoting more sustainable farming practices. Over the years, we have consistently expanded our fish hydrolysate and seaweed processing capacity to meet the growing demand for these products.
Through agreements with existing fishing rights holders we successfully introduced new products using the red seaweed species Porphyra and brown seaweed Ecklonia Maxima. These products complement our fish protein hydrolysate products which are already sold to the regenerative farming industry.
Waste products from the abalone, oyster and mussel farming industry are currently utilized to develop new products, thereby preventing this traditionally waste material from having to be dumped on landfill sites.
Atlantis Sea-Agri Products – proud producer of fishmeal and fish oil products
Our Partnerships
