Extra pilchard quota filled in two weeks

THE additional pilchard quota that Government granted to Namibia’s fishermen two months ago was caught, cut and canned while echoes of the announcement still lingered in Cabinet Chambers.

It took concession holders, who each received a pro rata slice of the pie, just two weeks to catch the extra 5 000 tonnes of pilchard that Cabinet approved early in July. Earlier this year, the total allowable catch (TAC) for pilchard was set at 20 000 tonnes for the 2005 fishing season but after reviewing the situation a further quota was granted in an attempt to alleviate the hard times the fishing industry is experiencing.Judging from scientific studies, Namibia’s total pilchard stock is showing some growth.A survey concluded in April indicated a total pilchard stock of about 183 000 tonnes, of which around 172 000 tonnes are adult fish – a fair increase from a previous survey in October 2004, which estimated the adult pilchard stock at 148 000 tonnes.Despite the fluctuating recovery of this species that once boasted a thriving adult stock of an estimated 362 000 tonnes in October 2003, quotas are slowly rising.This is the second consecutive year that the TAC for pilchard has been fixed at 25 000 tonnes.In 2003 the TAC was 20 000 tonnes after the industry was shocked when no pilchard quota was allocated in 2002.Earlier this year, the total allowable catch (TAC) for pilchard was set at 20 000 tonnes for the 2005 fishing season but after reviewing the situation a further quota was granted in an attempt to alleviate the hard times the fishing industry is experiencing.Judging from scientific studies, Namibia’s total pilchard stock is showing some growth.A survey concluded in April indicated a total pilchard stock of about 183 000 tonnes, of which around 172 000 tonnes are adult fish – a fair increase from a previous survey in October 2004, which estimated the adult pilchard stock at 148 000 tonnes.Despite the fluctuating recovery of this species that once boasted a thriving adult stock of an estimated 362 000 tonnes in October 2003, quotas are slowly rising.This is the second consecutive year that the TAC for pilchard has been fixed at 25 000 tonnes.In 2003 the TAC was 20 000 tonnes after the industry was shocked when no pilchard quota was allocated in 2002.