Cabinet has given the go-ahead to the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform to implement measures aimed at reducing bycatch and protecting Namibia's marine resources.
Minister of Information and Communication Technology Emma Theofelus announced that companies will now be allowed to retain only up to 2% of bycatch.
Minister Theofelus noted that any bycatch exceeding the 2% limit will be subject to bycatch fees and must be surrendered to the government at no cost for use in government objectives.
Other measures include increasing bycatch penalty fees from 15% to 50% in accordance with the Marine Resources Act.
Additionally, licences may be suspended, either temporarily or permanently, depending on the severity of violations, while habitual offenders risk having their licences revoked.
"Quota deductions for severe violations: In case of severe or repeated violations, authorities should have the power to confiscate fishing gear or even seize the vessels. Furthermore, in the event that a fishery exceeds its bycatch limits, the excess should be deducted from its future quotas. And lastly, for the annual public listing of bycatch violators to be published to discourage non-compliance."
The minister further announced the approval of Namibia's application to become a member of the Nuclear Suppliers Group.
"Cabinet also then further directed the Minister of International Relations and Trade to coordinate the technical updates to the dossier and to act as a focal point and to further establish an inter-ministerial committee tasked with implementing the NSG's guidelines. In addition, Cabinet further approved for a delegation at ministerial level to follow up and lobby the Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency and the Chairperson of the NSG on the margins of the General Conference in Vienna, Austria, to favourably consider Namibia's application to become a member of the Nuclear Suppliers Group."
Cabinet also authorised the Ministry of Industries, Mines and Energy to establish a national independent regulator, along with mechanisms to ensure safeguards, safety and security in line with international nuclear standards.