Seal meat has health benefits, expert says
Fishermen ‘competing’ with seals for fish
Despite international pressure to halt seal culling, some strongly believe that seal meat could be a local delicacy.
If domestic marine industry players had their way, Namibians would have seal meat on their dinner plates in no time.
This would not only help to control the growing seal population, but could also provide a number of health benefits, they said.
These calls come at a time when fishing industry players are lamenting the growing number of seals within the country's rich fishing grounds, saying the seals are hindering their fishing operations.
Fisheries biologist Lessin Kaliwenya has floated the idea of developing seal meat into a delicacy, as it is rich in Omega 3.
Despite international pressure to halt seal culling, Kaliwenya believes seal meat could be a local delicacy in Namibia.
"Seals have not really been explored in the past. Now we have created a platform for us to able to explore the vast possibilities of products that we can get from seals.”
Range of products
According to her, seal oil and fur can be be looked into.
"A lot of people use seal oil to treat skin conditions. They consume a drink with a spoon of salt because it has some healing properties.”
"A lot of farmers of use seal oil as well for animals such as goats and cows. They pour the oil on salt lick,” Kaliwenya said.
She added that seal fur can also offer a range of products such as ‘quality’ coats and belts.
"I am pretty sure that seal fur can also produce shoes and handbags. And then lastly, you have the seal meat that is being consumed by some and is considered to be a delicacy in certain parts of the world.”
Fierce competition
Princess Brand Processing, which has complained that its fishing activities are being adversely impacted by the growing seal colonies off the Namibian coast, also believes the country should consider eating seal meat.
The company’s general manager Adolf Burger has raised concerns about the increasing number of seal colonies in areas rich with horse mackerel, saying they now have to 'compete' with the seals.
Speaking at a consultation meeting with the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Natural Resources, he suggested “that the country look into developing seal meat for human consumption as it is rich in Omega 3”.
The seal population, according to the fisheries ministry, stands at 1.6 million and is made up of 26 colonies. The ministry usually issues a quota for the harvesting of about 86 000 seals every year.
No natural predators
Confederation of Namibian Fishing Associations (CNFA) chairperson Matti Amukwa said there were no natural ways to deal with the growing seal population as they have no natural predators in Namibia.
“Female seals are not harvested to ensure the viability of the stock. The market for seal products has all but collapsed, and the annual quota has not been harvested for a number of years now.
“In addition, the seals in Namibia have no natural enemies such as the Great White sharks, which in South Africa control the number of seals in the ocean,” he said.
The lack of harvesting meant government had no way to deal with the growing number of seals, which - in turn - places pressure on the fishing industry, he said.
“The combination of no natural enemy and no - or very reduced – harvesting has resulted in exploding seal numbers, which will have a negative impact on the natural equilibrium in the sea, with unforeseen consequences for other species,” he said.
Learn from them
Amukwa called on government to look at sustainable ways to deal with the growing seal population.
“While the seals are a protected species and under threat in some countries around the world, we understand that there are countries with large seal populations.
“Government would need to study how these countries are managing their seal stocks to avoid an overpopulation and to see whether these methods could be applicable in Namibia.”
This would not only help to control the growing seal population, but could also provide a number of health benefits, they said.
These calls come at a time when fishing industry players are lamenting the growing number of seals within the country's rich fishing grounds, saying the seals are hindering their fishing operations.
Fisheries biologist Lessin Kaliwenya has floated the idea of developing seal meat into a delicacy, as it is rich in Omega 3.
Despite international pressure to halt seal culling, Kaliwenya believes seal meat could be a local delicacy in Namibia.
"Seals have not really been explored in the past. Now we have created a platform for us to able to explore the vast possibilities of products that we can get from seals.”
Range of products
According to her, seal oil and fur can be be looked into.
"A lot of people use seal oil to treat skin conditions. They consume a drink with a spoon of salt because it has some healing properties.”
"A lot of farmers of use seal oil as well for animals such as goats and cows. They pour the oil on salt lick,” Kaliwenya said.
She added that seal fur can also offer a range of products such as ‘quality’ coats and belts.
"I am pretty sure that seal fur can also produce shoes and handbags. And then lastly, you have the seal meat that is being consumed by some and is considered to be a delicacy in certain parts of the world.”
Fierce competition
Princess Brand Processing, which has complained that its fishing activities are being adversely impacted by the growing seal colonies off the Namibian coast, also believes the country should consider eating seal meat.
The company’s general manager Adolf Burger has raised concerns about the increasing number of seal colonies in areas rich with horse mackerel, saying they now have to 'compete' with the seals.
Speaking at a consultation meeting with the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Natural Resources, he suggested “that the country look into developing seal meat for human consumption as it is rich in Omega 3”.
The seal population, according to the fisheries ministry, stands at 1.6 million and is made up of 26 colonies. The ministry usually issues a quota for the harvesting of about 86 000 seals every year.
No natural predators
Confederation of Namibian Fishing Associations (CNFA) chairperson Matti Amukwa said there were no natural ways to deal with the growing seal population as they have no natural predators in Namibia.
“Female seals are not harvested to ensure the viability of the stock. The market for seal products has all but collapsed, and the annual quota has not been harvested for a number of years now.
“In addition, the seals in Namibia have no natural enemies such as the Great White sharks, which in South Africa control the number of seals in the ocean,” he said.
The lack of harvesting meant government had no way to deal with the growing number of seals, which - in turn - places pressure on the fishing industry, he said.
“The combination of no natural enemy and no - or very reduced – harvesting has resulted in exploding seal numbers, which will have a negative impact on the natural equilibrium in the sea, with unforeseen consequences for other species,” he said.
Learn from them
Amukwa called on government to look at sustainable ways to deal with the growing seal population.
“While the seals are a protected species and under threat in some countries around the world, we understand that there are countries with large seal populations.
“Government would need to study how these countries are managing their seal stocks to avoid an overpopulation and to see whether these methods could be applicable in Namibia.”
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