Proposed Govt measures leave fish sector reeling

EMPLOYERS and workers in the fishing industry are not in favour of a two-month closed fishing season, as proposed by the Minister of Fisheries and Marine Resources.

In his annual address to the fisheries sector at Swakopmund on Friday, Dr Abraham Iyambo said a one-month moratorium on hake fishing during October last year had worked. “Catches improved and fish sizes increased considerably,” Iyambo told representatives of the industry.”For this reason consideration should be given to implement a two-month closure in order to give enough time for small fish to grow.”Iyambo was quick to point out that this would still be discussed.Last year the hake fishing sector ground to a standstill during the closed season and workers had to take forced leave, while others had to make do with a smaller salary.”Two months this year would be catastrophic for the hake sector,” said Volker Kuntzsch, Managing Director of Hangana Seafood at Walvis Bay.”We understand the reasons for this but it will have a severe impact on the cash flow of fishing companies,” Kuntzsch told The Namibian yesterday.He is also the Chairman of the Confederation of Namibian Fishing Associations (CNFA).”Hake spawn at different times of the year in different areas and we propose to close off those areas for a month each, which will allow hake trawlers to catch fish all year round in the open areas,” the Hangana MD added.The industry will discuss this today at a general meeting in Windhoek of the Marine Resources Advisory Council.The fishing industry is in total support of the Ministry’s efforts to manage marine resources in a sustainable way, according to Kuntzsch.”Scientific research results are also very important to support our industry,” he said.In his annual address, Minister Iyambo again called on the industry to comply with the Fisheries Act and its regulations.”Our Ministry is disturbed by attempts of certain vessel operators to silence crew members who alert the Ministry about incidences of non-compliance by captains of such vessels,” Iyambo said.As a result, the existing marine law would be reviewed to protect the whistleblowers.”I have approached Cabinet on this issue and sought guidance at reviewing certain laws to protect those who report transgressions at sea and on land.”Some of the transgressions are that vessels throw unwanted by-catches overboard or even catch more than the quota allocated to them.The Namibia Seamen & Allied Workers Union (Nasawu) welcomed Minister Iyambo’s announcement in this regard.”Those employees who report such malpractices even get dismissed,” said Erkki Shitana, Secretary General of Nasawu.”Protecting them in future is by amending legislation is a positive development,” Shitana told The Namibian.He was disappointed that the Minister did not mention foreign companies only giving temporary contracts to Namibians hired to work on their fishing vessels.”They don’t get any benefits because of the temporary contracts,” Shitana criticised.Asked to comment about the proposed closed season of two months, the Nasawu leader said this was to the detriment of employees.”Last year many of them had to take unpaid leave during the one-month closure, but it turned out to be nearly two months until the fishing vessels were ready to go out.A longer closed season will negatively affect the workers,” Shitana said.He felt that in the past year squabbles between labour unions and employers in the industry had decreased.”We all understand each other better and management of the various companies are more open with us, so we all co-operate to find amicable solutions for our industry,” Shitana said.”Catches improved and fish sizes increased considerably,” Iyambo told representatives of the industry.”For this reason consideration should be given to implement a two-month closure in order to give enough time for small fish to grow.”Iyambo was quick to point out that this would still be discussed.Last year the hake fishing sector ground to a standstill during the closed season and workers had to take forced leave, while others had to make do with a smaller salary.”Two months this year would be catastrophic for the hake sector,” said Volker Kuntzsch, Managing Director of Hangana Seafood at Walvis Bay.”We understand the reasons for this but it will have a severe impact on the cash flow of fishing companies,” Kuntzsch told The Namibian yesterday.He is also the Chairman of the Confederation of Namibian Fishing Associations (CNFA).”Hake spawn at different times of the year in different areas and we propose to close off those areas for a month each, which will allow hake trawlers to catch fish all year round in the open areas,” the Hangana MD added. The industry will discuss this today at a general meeting in Windhoek of the Marine Resources Advisory Council.The fishing industry is in total support of the Ministry’s efforts to manage marine resources in a sustainable way, according to Kuntzsch.”Scientific research results are also very important to support our industry,” he said.In his annual address, Minister Iyambo again called on the industry to comply with the Fisheries Act and its regulations.”Our Ministry is disturbed by attempts of certain vessel operators to silence crew members who alert the Ministry about incidences of non-compliance by captains of such vessels,” Iyambo said.As a result, the existing marine law would be reviewed to protect the whistleblowers.”I have approached Cabinet on this issue and sought guidance at reviewing certain laws to protect those who report transgressions at sea and on land.”Some of the transgressions are that vessels throw unwanted by-catches overboard or even catch more than the quota allocated to them.The Namibia Seamen & Allied Workers Union (Nasawu) welcomed Minister Iyambo’s announcement in this regard.”Those employees who report such malpractices even get dismissed,” said Erkki Shitana, Secretary General of Nasawu.”Protecting them in future is by amending legislation is a positive development,” Shitana told The Namibian.He was disappointed that the Minister did not mention foreign companies only giving temporary contracts to Namibians hired to work on their fishing vessels.”They don’t get any benefits because of the temporary contracts,” Shitana criticised.Asked to comment about the proposed closed season of two months, the Nasawu leader said this was to the detriment of employees.”Last year many of them had to take unpaid leave during the one-month closure, but it turned out to be nearly two months until the fishing vessels were ready to go out.A longer closed season will negatively affect the workers,” Shitana said.He felt that in the past year squabbles between labour unions and employers in the industry had decreased.”We all understand each other better and management of the various companies are more open with us, so we all co-operate to find amicable solutions for our industry,” Shitana said.