Horse mackerel industry flags 1 300 possible job losses

The Wet-Landed Horse Mackerel Association has indicated that 1 300 jobs could be lost as the sector struggles to catch fish outside the 200m isobar area in winter months.

This includes 637 jobs at Gendev and 633 at Princess wet onshore processing facilities at Walvis Bay.

In a letter addressed to the Cabinet on 8 September, which The Namibian has seen, the association’s chairperson, Jason Angala, says the wet-landed sector is competing with large freezer trawlers at sea, with large nets and trawls, 24 hours a day.

This is opposed to smaller wet horse mackerel vessels that target shoals, which Angala says are difficult to find in winter months, because the fish relocate to warmer water in the 200m isobar area.

Trawling is not allowed in this area.

“The Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources’ scientific evidence clearly indicates the whereabouts of the horse mackerel resource, which is not accessible for wet vessels,” Angula said in the letter.

He said the association has on several occasions brought the matter to the attention of the minister of fisheries and marine resources, Derek Klazen, which has proven futile.

The association in August met with Klazen, who, according to Angala, committed to finding solutions by the end of August by means of a Cabinet submission to avoid the collapse of the two factories.

“Hence our urgent approach directly to the Cabinet, seeking immediate relief to rescue this essential National Development Plan 5 initiative by the government for the people of Namibia, predominantly women and the youth,” Angala wrote.

The two companies have not been operating since May due to a lack of resources.

The payment of salaries have, however, been maintained.

Angala said the association advised Klazen that the payment of salaries and retention of jobs would only be possible if wet vessels are granted exclusive fishing zones.

The wet hake sector is granted similar zones.

“We humbly request interim exclusive catching zones as a relief to the horse mackerel wet trawlers that service the two largest onshore processing plants, with 1 300 jobs at risk during the migration of shoal during the winter period,” he said.

If all requests are granted, the two factories have the potential to create an additional 813 jobs subject to quota allocation and the envisaged horse mackerel cannery.

Klazen has confirmed that he has received many applications and letters from the association.

He said the ministry is in the process of addressing the matter internally.

“We also don’t want to see job losses in the industry. We are sympathetic towards these companies because of the winter catch, which is not good. We are looking into the matter,” he said.

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