Cabinet relaxes 200m isobath fishing rule for horse mackerel sector

The Cabinet has approved the temporary relaxation of trawling restrictions within the 200m isobath for the wet-landed horse mackerel subsector.

The decision is contained in a Cabinet directive issued by information minister Emma Theofelus on Friday.

“The Cabinet authorised the temporary relaxation of trawling within the 200m isobath to a specified zone of 150m (and not shallower) for wet-landed horse mackerel fishing vessels,” she says.

Fishing vessels in the subsector will now be allowed to operate within the 200m isobath area for a period of 12 months from 1 May to 30 April 2027.

The Cabinet also approved that the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform designate an area south of latitude 22° south, outside the 200m isobath, for exclusive use by the wet-landed horse mackerel subsector.

The 200m isobath rule has been used as a conservation measure to protect juvenile fish and sensitive marine ecosystems closer to shore.

Fishing inside this zone has generally been restricted, with limited exceptions granted under specific conditions.

The decision comes at a time when the horse mackerel sector is facing pressure linked to reduced quotas and uncertainty over allocation.

Earlier this year, the fisheries ministry set the 2026 total allowable catch (TAC) for horse mackerel at 197 000 tonnes, a reduction from 208 000 tonnes in 2025.

Of this, about 35% , nearly 70 000 tonnes, was reserved for government objectives, including food security programmes, infrastructure and employment support.

The reduction followed scientific assessments indicating a decline in fish stocks, prompting a more cautious management approach to protect the resource.

In an age of information overload, Sunrise is The Namibian’s morning briefing, delivered at 6h00 from Monday to Friday. It offers a curated rundown of the most important stories from the past 24 hours – occasionally with a light, witty touch. It’s an essential way to stay informed. Subscribe and join our newsletter community.