He said there was extensive debate about the employment of foreigners in the local fishing industry, but the reason for them being employed was that Namibians lacked the expertise to fill the specific positions.

Iyambo said it was hoped that Namibia would be able to fill all these positions with Namibians by the year 2030.

The Minister called on fishing companies to offer training programmes for Namibians.

He said it was distressing to see that there were qualified Namibians without jobs because the available positions were specialised and beyond the scope of their qualifications.

"Expatriates may be used if Namibians can't be found to do the job; but in the end Namibians would have to be able to replace them when they become qualified," he said.

Local News Headlines Of The Last 48 Hours

•  City Council takes back B1 City plot
•  Jacobs corruption probe not yet finished
•  Roessing pushing for 2030
•  Lawyer issue delays cop's trial
•  N$400m waterfront project to start soon
•  De-mining in Angola speeds up
•  Community service a viable alternative to prison: Minister
•  Gazza, The Dogg to share stage
•  Parastatal confirms financial squeeze
•  No action against cops in elephant case
•  SA police seize truck, impound cigarettes from Nam
•  SA heavyweights on bench for Teek appeal
•  Govt newspaper tender re-advertised
•  Damara chiefs to discuss differences
•  Murdered woman found at Rehoboth
•  Warden in court over fuel
•  Swakop is IT, says television producer
•  New conservancy launched in Caprivi
•  Rape, murder, robbery mark long weekend
•  Enviro magazine on way
•  By-election date announced
•  Insurers 'bleeding the common man'
•  TransNamib in dire straits