Minister of Fisheries and Marine Resources, Derek Klazen has cautioned new fishing rights holders harvesting their granted quotas to pay all their taxes, levies and fees.

The minister, during his annual fisheries address at Walvis Bay on Thursday, emphasised that these payments are statutory obligations for all rights holders and failure to comply with the law could have adverse consequences, including but not limited to the suspension of rights by the ministry.

“The other expectations of citizens from you since you were fortunate to secure a fishing right and have received a fishing quota, is that you continue to improve the standards of living of your fellow country-men and women through a variety of methods. These are not necessarily limited to corporate social responsibility only, but should include meaningful investments, the creation of enterprises outside or in support of the fishing industry, and targeted procurement aimed at procuring services from Namibians as stated in the Affirmative Action Act, Act 29 of 1998,” he noted.

Klazen urged the rights holders to support the ministry’s efforts to improve the fishing industry.

“Your support and buy-in will ensure that we all benefit from this great opportunity of being a right-holder and ensure that this resource continues to cater for jobs and economic livelihoods for many generations to come,” he stressed.

With regards to joint venture companies, the minister urged bigger and older fishing companies exploiting new rights holders to refrain from doing so.

“New rights holders are complaining to us, saying that they are made to get into agreements which they do not benefit much from,” he said.

Klazen said this situation has on several occasions forced him to revoke quotas.

“This is not what we mean by empowerment. Empowerment means we need to uplift others financially and legally correctly as it is laid out in your dividends,” he urged.

The minister advised companies to deal with these issues among themselves to avoid it having to reach his office as the consequences could be severe.

Source: The Namibian Press Agency