Pilchard quota unchanged at 25 000 mt

THE new fishing quota for the 2006 pilchard season has been set at 25 000 metric tonnes, the same as last year, Cabinet announced on Friday.

At the same time Cabinet said a pilchard management plan would be finalised to set out management goals, strategies and mechanisms for the long-term sustainability of the Namibian pilchard stock. The by-catch of pilchard in all catches of other species may not exceed three per cent by weight of the total landings.Should the by-catch be above that percentage, the particular fishing area must be closed for fishing.The 25 000 tonnes is not expected to greatly alleviate the hard times the fishing industry is experiencing.Last year, a quota of 20 000 tonnes was announced and quickly followed up with another 5 000 tonnes after the situation was reviewed.Indications were, however, that the country’s total pilchard stock was showing some growth.The current total biomass of the Namibian pilchard stock is estimated at between 89 000 tonnes and 215 000 tonnes, with 139 000 tonnes being the best estimate, of which about 69 600 tonnes constitutes adult fish.”Natural mortality remains very high for the pilchard stock due to predation by seals, squid, birds and other fish,” Cabinet said.It said recommendations by scientists and the Marine Resources Advisory Council were taken into consideration in determining the total allowable catches.A survey concluded in April 2005 indicated a total pilchard stock of about 183 000 tonnes, of which around 172 000 tonnes were adult fish – a fair increase from a previous survey in October 2004, which estimated the adult pilchard stock at 148 000 tonnes.This is the third consecutive year that the TAC for pilchard has been fixed at 25 000 tonnes.The by-catch of pilchard in all catches of other species may not exceed three per cent by weight of the total landings.Should the by-catch be above that percentage, the particular fishing area must be closed for fishing.The 25 000 tonnes is not expected to greatly alleviate the hard times the fishing industry is experiencing.Last year, a quota of 20 000 tonnes was announced and quickly followed up with another 5 000 tonnes after the situation was reviewed.Indications were, however, that the country’s total pilchard stock was showing some growth.The current total biomass of the Namibian pilchard stock is estimated at between 89 000 tonnes and 215 000 tonnes, with 139 000 tonnes being the best estimate, of which about 69 600 tonnes constitutes adult fish.”Natural mortality remains very high for the pilchard stock due to predation by seals, squid, birds and other fish,” Cabinet said.It said recommendations by scientists and the Marine Resources Advisory Council were taken into consideration in determining the total allowable catches.A survey concluded in April 2005 indicated a total pilchard stock of about 183 000 tonnes, of which around 172 000 tonnes were adult fish – a fair increase from a previous survey in October 2004, which estimated the adult pilchard stock at 148 000 tonnes.This is the third consecutive year that the TAC for pilchard has been fixed at 25 000 tonnes.