Walvis Bay, Namibia – Matti Amukwa, chairperson of the Confederation of Namibian Fishing Association (CNFA), has criticized the Government’s allocation of governmental objective quotas in the fishing industry. Amukwa’s remarks were made during the Annual Fishing Industry Address in Walvis Bay on Thursday.
According to Namibia Press Agency (NAMPA), Amukwa referred to instances like the auction of horse mackerel governmental objective quotas to the Democratic Republic of Congo, expressing concern that some Namibians are not benefiting from their ocean resources due to these allocations. He clarified that Namibian fish should benefit all Namibians, not just fishing right holders. The Marine Resources Act of 2000, Section 33, he noted, provides mechanisms for all Namibians to benefit from the nation’s fish, whether or not they are actively fishing.
He explained that the distribution of taxes and levies paid by fishing right holders should benefit all Namibians through the national budgeting process. While supporting governmental objectives, Amukwa argued against creating additional quota holders outside the law, suggesting that existing right holders can fulfill these objectives.
Amukwa advised that if the Government intends to create new rights and quota holders beyond the existing Act, it should be pursued through an amendment of the Act in Parliament with full stakeholder participation.