Ryazanovka: Authorities must speak up
The Marine Resources Act 27 of 2000, regulation 12(1) reads: A person who engages in the harvest of marine resources of commercial purposes in Namibian waters may not use any fishing gear that is not authorised by a right, exploratory right, quota or licence. Regulation 12(2) reads: The master of a licensed fishing vessel which carries on board fishing gear not authorised by a right, exploratory right, quota or licence must...(b) keep the fishing gear securely stowed away at all times.
In light of recent photos taken by eagle-eyed Namibians of crew aboard the now infamous fishing trawler Ryazanovka working on massive industrial fishing gear while the vessel was moving around the shores of Walvis Bay (with or without authorisation has not been established yet), has once again raised the alarm bells.
And the deep distrust and an overpowering sense of frustration grows among those opposing the devastating plundering of Namibian wildlife by foreign nationals seemingly intent on ignoring local environmental laws, progress and values grows.
It would not be difficult to soothe the rising tensions felt against Chinese nationals and immigrants, if government would adopt a transparent attitude in line with its Harambee promises and its duty as a democratically elected leadership overall.
The application should have been binned the moment it landed on the desk of the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources, without question. The dishonest content of the application has not been questioned by a single scientist or environmental expert.
So, what is government's stance on the application? No one really knows and this is deeply troubling and adds fuel to the growing distrust and frustration around this issue and against the Chinese active in Namibia.
In the face of relentless efforts to point out the rather blatant attempts to misdirect and lure government into issuing the permits to capture wild animals and stick them into ill-reputable Chinese aquariums in return for questionable amounts of money, the silence from authorities can only lead to more distrust.
In light of recent photos taken by eagle-eyed Namibians of crew aboard the now infamous fishing trawler Ryazanovka working on massive industrial fishing gear while the vessel was moving around the shores of Walvis Bay (with or without authorisation has not been established yet), has once again raised the alarm bells.
And the deep distrust and an overpowering sense of frustration grows among those opposing the devastating plundering of Namibian wildlife by foreign nationals seemingly intent on ignoring local environmental laws, progress and values grows.
It would not be difficult to soothe the rising tensions felt against Chinese nationals and immigrants, if government would adopt a transparent attitude in line with its Harambee promises and its duty as a democratically elected leadership overall.
The application should have been binned the moment it landed on the desk of the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources, without question. The dishonest content of the application has not been questioned by a single scientist or environmental expert.
So, what is government's stance on the application? No one really knows and this is deeply troubling and adds fuel to the growing distrust and frustration around this issue and against the Chinese active in Namibia.
In the face of relentless efforts to point out the rather blatant attempts to misdirect and lure government into issuing the permits to capture wild animals and stick them into ill-reputable Chinese aquariums in return for questionable amounts of money, the silence from authorities can only lead to more distrust.
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Namibian Sun
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