Minister warns fisheries to tighten belts

THE catching of hake will be off limits in October, as Government vowed this week to stick to measures aimed at preserving Namibia’s fish stocks.

Addressing the fishing industry at Luederitz on Wednesday, the Minister of Fisheries and Marine Resources, Dr Abraham Iyambo, said although not understood and appreciated by all, the measures were essential for the protection of the fragile fish stocks. “This is even more important at this stage of low stocks.Let’s continue to embrace this noble concept of precautionary approach,” Iyambo said.He said hake was the key generator of revenue for the Ministry of Fisheries and needed protection through the reduction of the total allowable catch (TAC) to 130 000 tons.Predation by seals, hake cannibalism, preponderance of jellyfish and global warming are of great concern for the survival of hake, according to the Minister.He called on the fishing industry to prepare itself for smaller quotas based on available scientific and commercial data.Some of the measures to be considered jointly by the Ministry and the fishing industry include increasing the mesh size of nets used by hake trawlers from 110 millimetres to 120 or 130 millimetres to give smaller fish a chance to escape.Iyambo also expressed concern about the fact that fish was not available to residents in the Karas and Hardap regions.”Members of the fishing industry are apparently unwilling to supply fish to local outlets.Where fish is sold it is extremely expensive.I am informed that even the local shops (in Luederitz) have no fish,” Iyambo said.He appealed to the fishing industry to work out a strategy to supply fish to small and medium enterprises in the two regions.”This is even more important at this stage of low stocks.Let’s continue to embrace this noble concept of precautionary approach,” Iyambo said.He said hake was the key generator of revenue for the Ministry of Fisheries and needed protection through the reduction of the total allowable catch (TAC) to 130 000 tons.Predation by seals, hake cannibalism, preponderance of jellyfish and global warming are of great concern for the survival of hake, according to the Minister.He called on the fishing industry to prepare itself for smaller quotas based on available scientific and commercial data.Some of the measures to be considered jointly by the Ministry and the fishing industry include increasing the mesh size of nets used by hake trawlers from 110 millimetres to 120 or 130 millimetres to give smaller fish a chance to escape.Iyambo also expressed concern about the fact that fish was not available to residents in the Karas and Hardap regions.”Members of the fishing industry are apparently unwilling to supply fish to local outlets.Where fish is sold it is extremely expensive.I am informed that even the local shops (in Luederitz) have no fish,” Iyambo said.He appealed to the fishing industry to work out a strategy to supply fish to small and medium enterprises in the two regions.