Fish industry denies union claims

THE Confederation of Namibian Fishing Associations has taken issue with statements by union leader Risto Kapenda that were reported in the media during the strike by fisheries observers that ended last week.

Kapenda, President of the National Union of Namibian Workers (NUNW,) was quoted in the coastal publication Namib Times last week as saying: “The State is losing millions with fishing vessels enjoying unlimited catches and illegal dumping in our waters, as there is no observer aboard any vessel. Our marine resources are being destroyed.Namibian Marine Resources are eventually leaving our country on cheap labour, just to provide wealth elsewhere, while our people are suffering.”Chairperson of the confederation, Denise van Bergen, said such an accusation could not be made about fishing companies across the board.She said the fishing industry distanced itself from the statement and called on Kapenda to back up his allegations and report it to the relevant authorities.Van Bergen said the confederation and its members would fully support an investigation into the claims.Rumours of fishing companies engaging in illegal dumping and indiscriminate catching started during the three-week long strike by fisheries observers.For the duration of the strike no observers accompanied fishing vessels to monitor operations and ensure adherence to the laws.At the signing of the agreement that ended the strike, Permanent Secretary of Fisheries Nangula Mbako said the Ministry was investigating the accusations.Our marine resources are being destroyed.Namibian Marine Resources are eventually leaving our country on cheap labour, just to provide wealth elsewhere, while our people are suffering.”Chairperson of the confederation, Denise van Bergen, said such an accusation could not be made about fishing companies across the board.She said the fishing industry distanced itself from the statement and called on Kapenda to back up his allegations and report it to the relevant authorities.Van Bergen said the confederation and its members would fully support an investigation into the claims.Rumours of fishing companies engaging in illegal dumping and indiscriminate catching started during the three-week long strike by fisheries observers.For the duration of the strike no observers accompanied fishing vessels to monitor operations and ensure adherence to the laws.At the signing of the agreement that ended the strike, Permanent Secretary of Fisheries Nangula Mbako said the Ministry was investigating the accusations.