Windhoek: The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform is scheduled to meet with fishing industry stakeholders this week to address concerns regarding the newly implemented bycatch regulations. The recent decision by the Cabinet has sparked mixed reactions within the industry, as operators have expressed dissatisfaction over the lack of prior consultation.

According to Namibia Press Agency, the new regulations impose a stricter bycatch threshold of two per cent. Operators who exceed this limit will be required to surrender their excess catch to the state. Additionally, the ministry has raised bycatch fee rates from 15 per cent to 50 per cent, as stipulated by the Marine Resources Act of 2000. While the government justifies these measures as necessary for the protection of fish stocks, some industry players feel blindsided by the changes.

Matti Amukwa, chairperson of the Confederation of Namibian Fishing Associations, emphasized the need for consultation in regulatory development, expressing the industry’s ongoing requests for ministry support. Minister Inge Zaamwani, during the opening of the three-day consultation with industry representatives, defended the new rules, highlighting the importance of bycatch management in maintaining marine ecological balance. She warned that repeat offenders could face severe consequences, such as license revocations and public naming.

Zaamwani also addressed the Government Objective Quota, acknowledging industry criticisms and confirming that a review is underway. The aim is to create a more balanced, transparent, and fair system that supports national priorities like education and food security while aligning with Namibia’s developmental goals.

Deputy Executive Director in the ministry, Ueritjiua Kauaria, raised questions about those consistently exceeding bycatch limits, suggesting a need to evaluate whether such practices are sustainable or merely coincidental, thus underscoring the challenges facing the ministry.