Bycatch headache: Fishing industry hits back
The president of the Confederation of Namibian Fishing Associations (CNFA), Matti Amukwa, has come out in defence of the fishing industry following claims by the fisheries ministry that some companies are deliberately landing high bycatch volumes.
The ministry, which has also accused fishing companies of not doing enough to reduce bycatch volumes, last week warned that it will adopt more stringent measures to bring culprits to book.
This follows a meeting between the ministry and sector players a fortnight ago during which the ministry expressed concerns over the high bycatch.
Ministry officials noted that among its concerns, it has observed companies landing species such as pilchards as a bycatch, despite a pilchard ban being in place.
Amukwa yesterday told Namibian Sun that “the ministry knows the vessels that are driving up the bycatch volumes, but they [the ministry] have not taken action”.
He further argued: “We see these things continuing, but nothing is being done".
Situation being monitored
Amukwa also explained that “bycatch is not a big issue in the hake industry, but more in the horse mackerel sector”.
Fishing operators are permitted to land a maximum bycatch of 5% above their target catch limit.
The ministry has identified the need to introduce a higher bycatch threshold as well as increase fines for bycatch landed above the threshold.
There are also plans to introduce a closed period for monk and horse mackerel.
Executive director in the fisheries ministry Annely Haiphene last week said levies are already in place for those caught on the wrong side of the law.
“After consultations with the industry, the ministry will monitor the situation and if this high bycatch situation continues, the ministry will then introduce further punitive measures,” Haiphene said.
“Recent statistics reveal that hake right holders are landing higher horse mackerel as bycatch, while horse mackerel right holders are similarly landing high hake bycatch. This is an alarming situation in light of the situation of these fisheries resources,” Haiphene stressed.
High-value targets
In its presentation, the ministry has identified vessels such as Cavema Star, MFV Komesho and Mediva Star as the biggest culprits.
According to sources in the fishing industry, the value of pilchard bycatch is approximately N$100 million at the current rate of N$15 per kilogram.
Ministerial insiders said the bycatch phenomenon has become a lucrative source of income for fishing companies, who sell it because it is not confiscated by fisheries authorities – unlike in the past, when it was seized and auctioned to the public.
The ministry, which has also accused fishing companies of not doing enough to reduce bycatch volumes, last week warned that it will adopt more stringent measures to bring culprits to book.
This follows a meeting between the ministry and sector players a fortnight ago during which the ministry expressed concerns over the high bycatch.
Ministry officials noted that among its concerns, it has observed companies landing species such as pilchards as a bycatch, despite a pilchard ban being in place.
Amukwa yesterday told Namibian Sun that “the ministry knows the vessels that are driving up the bycatch volumes, but they [the ministry] have not taken action”.
He further argued: “We see these things continuing, but nothing is being done".
Situation being monitored
Amukwa also explained that “bycatch is not a big issue in the hake industry, but more in the horse mackerel sector”.
Fishing operators are permitted to land a maximum bycatch of 5% above their target catch limit.
The ministry has identified the need to introduce a higher bycatch threshold as well as increase fines for bycatch landed above the threshold.
There are also plans to introduce a closed period for monk and horse mackerel.
Executive director in the fisheries ministry Annely Haiphene last week said levies are already in place for those caught on the wrong side of the law.
“After consultations with the industry, the ministry will monitor the situation and if this high bycatch situation continues, the ministry will then introduce further punitive measures,” Haiphene said.
“Recent statistics reveal that hake right holders are landing higher horse mackerel as bycatch, while horse mackerel right holders are similarly landing high hake bycatch. This is an alarming situation in light of the situation of these fisheries resources,” Haiphene stressed.
High-value targets
In its presentation, the ministry has identified vessels such as Cavema Star, MFV Komesho and Mediva Star as the biggest culprits.
According to sources in the fishing industry, the value of pilchard bycatch is approximately N$100 million at the current rate of N$15 per kilogram.
Ministerial insiders said the bycatch phenomenon has become a lucrative source of income for fishing companies, who sell it because it is not confiscated by fisheries authorities – unlike in the past, when it was seized and auctioned to the public.
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