Lobster harvesting ban creates conflict at Swakopmund
Some Swakopmund fishermen have voiced their frustration about a ban on lobster harvesting near the Platz Am Meer shopping centre.
Especially the local fishermen, who fish from the beach and make a living from both fish and lobster, are upset about this. As a result, the fishermen and the mall's security guards have clashed in recent times.
"We are constantly chased away like dogs, even though we have the necessary permit from the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources," one of the fishermen said.
"We are very unhappy. We come here to 'struggle' for some food to keep the pot boiling. But every time it is a problem, and we are sent to fisheries. They say that if we have a legal permit, we can catch lobster anywhere along the coastline," the fisherman added.
"I don't know how the story will end, but it is pushing us to steal from people or break into houses, which is not what we want. Then we'll go to prison, and then who will feed our families? We ask anyone higher up to come here and tell us what we should do before we take matters into our own hands," he said.
Permits in place
The fishermen say they are well informed about the regulations that apply to lobster harvesting and have acquired the necessary permits.
Enquiries at the fisheries ministry's local office by Namibia Media Holdings revealed that there are no designated areas within the town's boundaries where the harvesting of lobster is prohibited.
However, a sign erected by the town council states that no one within a radius of 50 metres of the wharf – the small wharf that serves as an approach to the shopping centre – may "swim or dive to harvest lobsters."
The Swakopmund town council did not respond to questions by time of going to print.
Especially the local fishermen, who fish from the beach and make a living from both fish and lobster, are upset about this. As a result, the fishermen and the mall's security guards have clashed in recent times.
"We are constantly chased away like dogs, even though we have the necessary permit from the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources," one of the fishermen said.
"We are very unhappy. We come here to 'struggle' for some food to keep the pot boiling. But every time it is a problem, and we are sent to fisheries. They say that if we have a legal permit, we can catch lobster anywhere along the coastline," the fisherman added.
"I don't know how the story will end, but it is pushing us to steal from people or break into houses, which is not what we want. Then we'll go to prison, and then who will feed our families? We ask anyone higher up to come here and tell us what we should do before we take matters into our own hands," he said.
Permits in place
The fishermen say they are well informed about the regulations that apply to lobster harvesting and have acquired the necessary permits.
Enquiries at the fisheries ministry's local office by Namibia Media Holdings revealed that there are no designated areas within the town's boundaries where the harvesting of lobster is prohibited.
However, a sign erected by the town council states that no one within a radius of 50 metres of the wharf – the small wharf that serves as an approach to the shopping centre – may "swim or dive to harvest lobsters."
The Swakopmund town council did not respond to questions by time of going to print.
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