Fishing industry to tough out quota cuts

THE fishing industry is preparing to try and tough out the consequences of stiff new measures announced by Fisheries Minister Abraham Iyambo 10 days ago.

While some members of the industry fear that dark times lie ahead, others believe that the Minister had had no option but to implement the measures in the interest of the long-term future of fishing in Namibia. In his annual address to the industry at Walvis Bay, Iyambo said Total Allowable Catches will be slashed and area and seasonal closures for some species will be introduced, while a five-year moratorium has been slapped on new fishing rights.Approached for comment, Chairperson of the Confederation of Namibian Fishing Associations, Denise van Bergen said the industry would have to tighten its belt.”The points that the Minister raised are not uplifting, but they’re practical and that is what circumstances call for at this stage.The industry has survived hard times before and, though it won’t be easy, the measures proposed are doable if we tighten our belts.”Van Bergen said the Minister should be congratulated for his first-rate presentation.”It was well presented, user-friendly and easy to follow.I’m glad that it was also well attended by a good cross-section of the community.”Van Bergen said the five-year moratorium on new fishing rights and the season closure during September and October for the hake sector were necessary steps.”We would all be happy if we could implement the European system here, where the government subsidises the industry during the closed season, but circumstances here are much different.The main challenge now is to create a balance between keeping our international market on one hand and allowing stocks to recover at the same time.”She said the introduction of vessel-monitoring systems had been discussed for years and she was happy to see it implemented now.Though the equipment is expensive, she doesn’t foresee that the expense could knock smaller companies out of the race.”The big companies with several vessels will be hit hardest.”She is concerned about the fact that there is only one supplier for the gear.According to Van Bergen, the rising fuel prices play a major role in the future of the industry.She said the introduction of the 70:30 ratio for wet fish and freezer fish will be tough on the industry.”It will create more jobs and add value to products, but not overnight.It requires expensive facilities for which the finances may not be available.But in the long run it is also doable.”As they say, Africa isn’t for sissies.But we’re the sons and daughters of the brave.We’ve been here before and we realise that we can’t change nature.”The picture painted by a manager in the hake sector is less upbeat.Commenting on the condition of anonymity, he said the full hake quota would not be caught if vessels must abandon a spot where five per cent of the catch is smaller than 36 centimetres.”About thirty to forty per cent of an average catch consists of small fish,” he said.”There are dark times ahead.The new measures weren’t properly thought through.A closed season of two months will have a severe effect on a company’s cash flow, while creditors must still be paid.We will probably be forced to sell at least one vessel.If our market is interrupted, the buyer will simply find another supplier.”He agrees with the introduction of closed areas.”In the long run it will contribute to the recovery of stocks, but in the short run…I don’t know what we’re going to do.Now we can only wait for the quotas to be announced at the end of April.”All eyes in the small pelagic sector are focused on the results of the stock survey that will be completed in March.Managing Director of United Fishing Enterprises Willem Pronk is in favour of the new measures.”Young fish have basically no value and it doesn’t make sense to put more pressure on the resource.”About the moratorium on new fishing rights he said: “It is justified.Issuing new rights would be unfair to both existing and new licence holders if the resource can’t support everyone.”Pronk said he didn’t expect the new measures to have much of an impact on the pelagic sector.”The sector has been in a tight position for some time now and has always been season-bound.”He shares Minister Iyambo’s view that something inexplicable is happening in the Benguela current.”For an unknown reason there is a clear downward trend in the pilchard biomass.Neither the scientists nor we can explain the changes,” Pronk said.Flip Conradie, General Manager of Etosha Fisheries, was hesitant to remark on the current situation.”We can’t predict what the season will bring before we have the outcome of the pilchard-stock survey,” he said.Governor of the Erongo Region Samuel Nuuyoma is satisfied that the protection of fish resources is the Minister’s top priority.”It is better if we cut on quantity so that we are able to provide quality.If we are left with nothing, the impact on the fishing sector will be devastating to all.I’ve spoken to people in the industry and the general feeling is not negative.”On the effect the measures might have on employment and labour relations, Nuuyoma commented: “I’ve proposed to the unions and the ministries of fisheries and labour to discuss the issues and plan ahead for the closed season.”The President of the Namibian Food and Allied Workers’ Union, David Namalenga, could not comment on the possible consequences for the labour force.He said he first wanted to study the presentation and would make a statement after meeting with the Minister.In his annual address to the industry at Walvis Bay, Iyambo said Total Allowable Catches will be slashed and area and seasonal closures for some species will be introduced, while a five-year moratorium has been slapped on new fishing rights.Approached for comment, Chairperson of the Confederation of Namibian Fishing Associations, Denise van Bergen said the industry would have to tighten its belt.”The points that the Minister raised are not uplifting, but they’re practical and that is what circumstances call for at this stage.The industry has survived hard times before and, though it won’t be easy, the measures proposed are doable if we tighten our belts.”Van Bergen said the Minister should be congratulated for his first-rate presentation.”It was well presented, user-friendly and easy to follow.I’m glad that it was also well attended by a good cross-section of the community.”Van Bergen said the five-year moratorium on new fishing rights and the season closure during September and October for the hake sector were necessary steps.”We would all be happy if we could implement the European system here, where the government subsidises the industry during the closed season, but circumstances here are much different.The main challenge now is to create a balance between keeping our international market on one hand and allowing stocks to recover at the same time.”She said the introduction of vessel-monitoring systems had been discussed for years and she was happy to see it implemented now.Though the equipment is expensive, she doesn’t foresee that the expense could knock smaller companies out of the race.”The big companies with several vessels will be hit hardest.”She is concerned about the fact that there is only one supplier for the gear.According to Van Bergen, the rising fuel prices play a major role in the future of the industry.She said the introduction of the 70:30 ratio for wet fish and freezer fish will be tough on the industry.”It will create more jobs and add value to products, but not overnight.It requires expensive facilities for which the finances may not be available.But in the long run it is also doable.”As they say, Africa isn’t for sissies.But we’re the sons and daughters of the brave.We’ve been here before and we realise that we can’t change nature.”The picture painted by a manager in the hake sector is less upbeat.Commenting on the condition of anonymity, he said the full hake quota would not be caught if vessels must abandon a spot where five per cent of the catch is smaller than 36 centimetres.”About thirty to forty per cent of an average catch consists of small fish,” he said.”There are dark times ahead.The new measures weren’t properly thought through.A closed season of two months will have a severe effect on a company’s cash flow, while creditors must still be paid.We will probably be forced to sell at least one vessel.If our market is interrupted, the buyer will simply find another supplier.”He agrees with the introduction of closed areas.”In the long run it will contribute to the recovery of stocks, but in the short run…I don’t know what we’re going to do.Now we can only wait for the quotas to be announced at the end of April.”All eyes in the small pelagic sector are focused on the results of the stock survey that will be completed in March.Managing Director of United Fishing Enterprises Willem Pronk is in favour of the new measures.”Young fish have basically no value and it doesn’t make sense to put more pressure on the resource.”About the moratorium on new fishing rights he said: “It is justified.Issuing new rights would be unfair to both existing and new licence holders if the resource can’t support everyone.”Pronk said he didn’t expect the new measures to have much of an impact on the pelagic sector.”The sector has been in a tight position for some time now and has always been season-bound.”He shares Minister Iyambo’s view that something inexplicable is happening in the Benguela current.”For an unknown reason there is a clear downward trend in the pilchard biomass.Neither the scientists nor we can explain the changes,” Pronk said.Flip Conradie, General Manager of Etosha Fisheries, was hesitant to remark on the current situation.”We can’t predict what the season will bring before we have the outcome of the pilchard-stock survey,” he said.Governor of the Erongo Region Samuel Nuuyoma is satisfied that the protection of fish resources is the Minister’s top priority.”It is better if we cut on quantity so that we are able to provide quality.If we are left with nothing, the impact on the fishing sector will be devastating to all.I’ve spoken to people in the industry and the general feeling is not negative.”On the effect the measures might have on employment and labour relations, Nuuyoma commented: “I’ve proposed to the unions and the ministries of fisheries and labour to discuss the issues and plan ahead for the closed season.”The President of the Namibian Food and Allied Workers’ Union, David Namalenga, could not comment on the possible consequences for the labour force.He said he first wanted to study the presentation and would make a statement after meeting with the Minister.