Horse mackerel industry in the dock

SEVEN captains of horse mackerel vessels, which were recalled from the fishing grounds because of alleged contraventions of the Marine Resources Act of 2000, are awaiting the Prosecutor General’s decision whether they will be charged in a court of law.

The vessels the captains were operating are the Kiyefskares, Lazurnyy, Zamoskoreshye, Lazurnyy, Zamorskovorechye, Star Fish 1 and Venus 1, according to Julia Nujoma, spokesperson for the Erongo Police. The captains are all apparently Russian citizens.In a statement issued late yesterday by the Permanent Secretary of Fisheries and Marine Resources, Frans Sheehama, it was indicated that the reason for the recall of the vessels was that suspect devices, allegedly used for dumping fish, were found on board.The dumping of fish into the sea is a contravention of the Act.The statement said a joint operation, involving various law enforcement agencies, was conducted from October 24 to 29 to investigate the matter.The fisheries inspectors found the devices and ordered the vessels to return to the port of Walvis Bay, where further investigations were conducted.According to the statement, it was recommended that the Ministry must take action against the vessels – a matter described as “very serious and deserving urgent action from Government”.”As a Government, our task is to protect and conserve the resources of the country and where it is reported that the laws of the land are being violated, it is our duty to ensure that appropriate action is taken in line with the Marine Resources Act of 2000.”The vessels were seized and will be kept until such time that the necessary course of action is determined,” the statement said.Since the recall the horse mackerel industry has ground to a halt.Callie Jacobs, Chairman of the Horse Mackerel Association, told The Namibian that there was no advance warning of the recall.He said the horse mackerel industry curr™ently has 10 trawlers, of which seven are now seized and two are in Cape Town harbour for repairs.According to him, one trawler – the Desert Rose – was allowed to return to sea.The companies affected are Erongo Marine Enterprises and Namsov, who allegedly own a majority share in the vessels.Jacobs said the industry was losing about N$1 million a day because of operations being halted.The captains are all apparently Russian citizens.In a statement issued late yesterday by the Permanent Secretary of Fisheries and Marine Resources, Frans Sheehama, it was indicated that the reason for the recall of the vessels was that suspect devices, allegedly used for dumping fish, were found on board.The dumping of fish into the sea is a contravention of the Act. The statement said a joint operation, involving various law enforcement agencies, was conducted from October 24 to 29 to investigate the matter.The fisheries inspectors found the devices and ordered the vessels to return to the port of Walvis Bay, where further investigations were conducted.According to the statement, it was recommended that the Ministry must take action against the vessels – a matter described as “very serious and deserving urgent action from Government”.”As a Government, our task is to protect and conserve the resources of the country and where it is reported that the laws of the land are being violated, it is our duty to ensure that appropriate action is taken in line with the Marine Resources Act of 2000.”The vessels were seized and will be kept until such time that the necessary course of action is determined,” the statement said.Since the recall the horse mackerel industry has ground to a halt.Callie Jacobs, Chairman of the Horse Mackerel Association, told The Namibian that there was no advance warning of the recall.He said the horse mackerel industry curr™ently has 10 trawlers, of which seven are now seized and two are in Cape Town harbour for repairs.According to him, one trawler – the Desert Rose – was allowed to return to sea.The companies affected are Erongo Marine Enterprises and Namsov, who allegedly own a majority share in the vessels.Jacobs said the industry was losing about N$1 million a day because of operations being halted.