Omaheke wants new fishing quota regime

If it were up to them, communities in the Omaheke Region would change the fishing quota allocation model.The current model is seen benefit mostly individuals, and they would trade this for a broad-based model where resources are directly allocated to regional councils.Community members also feel such a change will ensure that all Namibians benefit from the country’s abundant fisheries resources, which many say have enriched only a handful since independence.Despite Namibia having one of the richest fishing grounds off its coast, fish consumption across the country is still relatively low because of affordability.This finding is contained in a report prepared following a visit to the Hardap and Omaheke regions by National Council lawmakers in October 2022.The recommendations were forwarded to the standing committee on public accounts and economics and the standing committee on agriculture, the environment and natural resources.Not trickling downMining, Metal, Maritime and Construction Union secretary-general Joseph Garoeb supported the community’s call, saying the benefits from holding a fishing quota were not trickling down to Namibians.According to him, regional councils were best geared towards driving development.“I support that fully, because it will get to who it is intended for - the people. Development can only take place at regional level. It can leave a sustainable impact,” he said.Academic Omu Kakujaha-Matundu echoed Garoeb’s sentiments.“No fishing quotas should be allocated to any individual or group. Fishing should be nationalised, and the rent paid over to the fiscus and the sovereign wealth fund for the benefit of all Namibians.”Meanwhile, Namibian Food and Allied Workers Union (Nafau) general secretary Jacob Penda said he was happy with the current state of affairs, adding that the private sector was managing quotas in a sustainable manner.“We need to follow what the law says. The current status quo is making progress to uplift Namibians. I think the private sector is doing well,” he said.The current system was driven by already established protocols that needed to be maintained, he added.“Quotas are not just given. There are processes, you cannot just give.”No evidenceThe fisheries ministry has in the past said there are no plans to reverse the controversial 2015 amendments to the fisheries law - which are believed to have birthed the Fishrot scandal.This, the ministry said, is because there is no evidence at this point that the amendments indeed played a role in the corruption scandal.Incumbent fisheries minister Derek Klazen said his office has not received any proposals to reverse the amendments.

Omaheke wants new fishing quota regime

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Namibian Sun 2025-04-03

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Omaheke wants new fishing quota regime

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Namibian Sun 2025-04-03

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