President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah says Namibia's fishing industry must do more to ensure that fish is accessible to Namibians, calling for stronger local fish markets across the country.
Nandi-Ndaitwah said this during her meeting with the Confederation of Namibian Fishing Associations (CNFA) at State House, where she stressed the importance of expanding access to fresh fish, saying she envisions a future where open markets in towns across Namibia have fish available for local communities to consume.
President Nandi-Ndaitwah noted that Namibia is a fish-producing nation and that the resource must benefit Namibians through nutrition, economic growth, job creation and increased access to affordable food.
She pointed out that the fishing sector plays a critical role in the country's economy, contributing to employment opportunities and foreign earnings through exports.
President Nandi-Ndaitwah said the government has a responsibility to protect the industry for future generations, adding that Namibia must balance economic benefits with the responsibility of safeguarding its marine resources.
She also recalled the introduction of the Namibian Fish Consumption initiative by the country's founding president, aimed at ensuring that locally produced fish reaches the domestic market.
Chairperson of the CNFA, Matti Amukwa, said the sector remains committed to working with government to protect Namibia's marine resources, safeguard jobs and strengthen the fishing industry.
He, however, warned that the industry is facing uncertain times due to policy decisions that are sometimes made without proper governance, creating instability, discouraging investment, and threatening long-term sustainability.
He explained that when fish stocks decline, companies are forced to import raw materials to maintain operations and protect jobs.
He called for equal treatment, investment, and cooperation to aid the sector.
The fishing sector employs about 16,500 Namibians annually and earns the country about N$10 billion in gross annual income.