Namibia's approach to resource management at independence has been to rebuild its overexploited and depleted resources to the maximum sustainable level, especially its marine.

As part of this effort, the Marine Resources Advisory Council was established to ensure the responsible management of the country's marine resources.

The country's Marine Resources Act provides for the creation of advisory structures to support government in managing marine resources based on scientific and socio-economic considerations.

One of them is the Marine Resources Advisory Council that advises the minister on key decisions and investigates issues related to the industry.

Speaking at the inauguration of the Marine Resource Advisory Council in Windhoek, the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform, Inge Zaamwani, reminded the council of the industry's role in economic development.

The council also advises the minister on the setting of total allowable catch levels for commercially important species.

"You hear people saying there is not enough fish or data to make that recommendation, but the data that you have, if it's the best available scientific information, because obtaining the data is not an easy thing, sometimes you may not have the available data, but the best data that you have, you can use that to advise," says Titus Iilende, the Deputy Director in the Marine Resources.

"Your appointment comes at a right time where we are entering a phase where some of the quarter rights will be expiring at the end of this year and some next year, and therefore, with your advice, we need to see how best we can consolidate the various players and resources so that they are meaningful to those participating."

The council has 10 members and is chaired by the Ministry of Agriculture's Executive Director Teofilus Nghitila.

They will serve for a period of three years.