The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform has clarified that the 2026 Total Allowable Catch for horse mackerel was determined through a statutory, consultative and science-based process.
The ministry's explanation follows claims of secretive quota cuts.
Workers at Etosha Fishing took to the streets of Walvis Bay demanding sustainable fishing quotas from the government.
The employees argue that the current horse mackerel quotas for the company are not enough to keep them employed for the whole year.
The Wet Landed Small Pelagic Association has raised alarm over illegal fishing of pilchards, a species placed under a moratorium.
Its chairperson, Johnny Doëseb, believes some horse mackerel operators are deliberately targeting pilchards to maximise their profits.
The Minister of Fisheries and Marine Resources, Derek Klazen, and scientists say the horse mackerel species is under severe threat.
The industry has been warned about unsustainable catches of horse mackerel stock.
A total of N$52.3 million was raised from the sale of 28,500 metric tons (MT) of horse mackerel under the Governmental Objective Fishing Quota.
The total was inclusive of N$11,000 raised from application fees for the total quota of 30,540 MT of horse mackerel bids held on March 31, 2023.
The Namibian Cabinet has endorsed the Total Allowable Catch (TAC) for deep-sea red crab and horse mackerel for the 2023 fishing season.
This was announced in a media statement issued after the 21st Cabinet decision-making meeting.
There is still disagreement over the restriction of fishing activities in the 200-meter zone between unions, the wet-landed horse mackerel sector, and the Confederation of Namibian Fishing Associations.
Pilchard and rock lobster are still in a poor state, while horse mackerel has declined.
The Minister of Fisheries and Marine Resources, Derek Klazen revealed this during his annual address at Walvis Bay.
Klazen says a scientific survey to assess the resources was carried out in March 2022.
