Fishing quota increase not healthy – Klazen
SWAKOPMUND – Despite the increasing calls by the fishing industry for an increase in quota allocation at Lüderitz, the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources has said the ocean’s current health does not allow for it.
Minister Derek Klazen, during the fisheries industry address at Lüderitz on Tuesday, said these calls are being made due to the recent poor winter catches experienced by Lüderitz-based fishermen, and the increased costs of doing business, among other considerations.
The minister noted that the country as a whole needs to implement robust climate mitigating measures as a means to underscore the importance of the sustainable exploitation of marine resources and the protection of its biodiversity.
“It is sadly a global fact that the health of our ocean is declining and coastal countries are urged to look at implementing remedial steps to restore the health of the ocean. Issues of financial needs required to help countries like Namibia achieve the ambitious 30 by 30 protections (30% ocean and 30% land) remain an important factor,” Klazen expressed.
He added that the important consideration when it comes to fisheries resource management is sustainability, in which case for Namibia the sustainable harvesting or exploitation of marine resources is provided for in fisheries management policies and in the Marine Resources Act, Act 27 of 2000 as amended.
This law requires the minister to consult the Marine Resources Advisory Council (MRAC) when determining together with Cabinet, the Total Allowable Catch (TAC) for a specific species on the best scientific advice available from MRAC.
“Simply put, it is not possible for a minister to simply increase the TAC outside or in contradiction to the scientific advice provided by MRAC despite calls by the industry here to do so, because doing so is not only unsustainable, but also outside the confines of our laws and policies,” the minister said. Klazen, although expressing sympathy with the industry, emphasised that his job as a minister is to choose between meeting the sector’s economic needs and expectations right now and compromising the fisheries stocks, or to preside over an industry that protects the fishing interests of future generations.