Lobster industry feels the pinch

THE future of the rock lobster industry at Luederitz is still hanging in the balance after Cabinet’s announcement of a 420 tonne total allowable catch (TAC) for the new season.

Ron Wolters, chairperson of Namrock, the marketing arm of the lobster industry, told The Namibian that price negotiations with clients in Japan had not yet been finalised. He said they would only be able to get a better picture of the prospects once a price had been established.A set price is normally negotiated with the Japanese market before the start of a new season.Namibia exports 98 per cent of its lobster catch to Japan.The industry had suffered huge losses in the past season.Wolters told The Namibian in May that he did not think any of the 21 concessionaires would make money.One of the contributing factors to the poor season was the markets in Japan, where consumers were spending less money.The Namibian industry also had to compete with other countries, including South Africa, that had entered the Japanese market.”This meant prices have fallen substantially,” said Wolters.The exchange rate and poor weather conditions further contributed to the industry’s qualms.This meant that by the end of the season only about 54 per cent of the 420 tonne TAC was caught.Wolters felt optimistic in May about signs of economic improvement in Japan, which he hoped would work its way through to the consumers.He did not want to speculate yesterday and said it was best to wait until a price was fixed.He expected to have a result early in November.The new lobster season runs from November to April next year.He said they would only be able to get a better picture of the prospects once a price had been established.A set price is normally negotiated with the Japanese market before the start of a new season.Namibia exports 98 per cent of its lobster catch to Japan.The industry had suffered huge losses in the past season.Wolters told The Namibian in May that he did not think any of the 21 concessionaires would make money.One of the contributing factors to the poor season was the markets in Japan, where consumers were spending less money.The Namibian industry also had to compete with other countries, including South Africa, that had entered the Japanese market.”This meant prices have fallen substantially,” said Wolters.The exchange rate and poor weather conditions further contributed to the industry’s qualms.This meant that by the end of the season only about 54 per cent of the 420 tonne TAC was caught.Wolters felt optimistic in May about signs of economic improvement in Japan, which he hoped would work its way through to the consumers.He did not want to speculate yesterday and said it was best to wait until a price was fixed.He expected to have a result early in November.The new lobster season runs from November to April next year.