Hertta-Maria Amutenja
The government will begin naming and shaming fishing companies that break bycatch rules, agriculture, water and land reform minister Inge Zaamwani has warned.
She stated that the government will enforce stricter penalties, such as licence revocation, quota cuts, and vessel confiscation, against habitual offenders.
Earlier this month, the government reduced the bycatch limit from 5% to 2% and increased penalty fees from 15% to 50% in an effort to curb illegal landings and protect marine resources.
However, this week the Confederation of Namibian Fishing Associations appealed to the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources to consult the industry before implementing the cabinet’s decision to lower the bycatch limit to 2%.
“Repeat offenders face harsher sanctions, and their names will be published to deter non-compliance. Operators exceeding the 2% bycatch threshold will have to surrender the excess to the government. This ensures that operators do not profit from unsustainable practices while promoting compliance and responsible fishing behaviour,” Zaamwani said at an industry consultation in Walvis Bay on Wednesday.
Reports indicated that between April and June this year, six midwater trawlers each landed pilchards valued at more than N$23 million in single trips.
The measures, Zaamwani added, are aimed at tightening compliance and ensuring that the sector remains sustainable while protecting livelihoods.
Zaamwani’s remarks came as she confirmed a drop in exports and catches in 2024.
TAC of hake and horse mackerel combined was set at 438 080 metric tonnes, down from 457 380 metric tonnes in 2023, resulting in landings of 429 013 metric tonnes.
Export earnings fell from N$14.1 billion in 2023 to N$13.8 billion in 2024.
She said the decline was mainly due to reduced quotas for hake and horse mackerel.
“The fishing industry remains a cornerstone of our economy and a source of livelihood for thousands of Namibians. However, fluctuating quotas owing to declining biomass, illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing, and other external pressures have created uncertainty,” she said.
Despite the drop, the industry maintained strong operations, with 235 vessels and 30 onshore processing plants producing more than 39 fish products last year.
The sector generated N$278 million in revenue through quotas, levies, license fees, and penalties.
She said employment in the same period stood at 19 440 Namibians, of whom 71% work in onshore operations. Women make up 45% of that workforce, while only 140 women were employed at sea.
Zaamwani called on rights holders and processors to guarantee workers’ security while the government develops policies that support enterprises creating and retaining employment.
She also revealed that there are 462 active rights holders. Of these, 162 rights issued in 2012 will expire on 31 December 2026, and the rest, granted in 2020, will expire on 30 May 2027.
“Performance reviews will be carried out before renewals. Sufficient notices shall be sent out to the right holders before the end of the current financial year 2025/2026.”
