The Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources has prioritised the completion of the much anticipated fishing industry scorecard during the current financial year.

According to fisheries minister, Derek Klazen, during the Annual Fishing Industry Address (AFIA) in Walvis Bay on Thursday, the ministry has acknowledged that the process has taken too long to be finalised due to its complexities.

The scorecard mechanism was introduced in 2015, in order to evaluate the performance of each right holder, and hence determine the amount of fishing quota to be allocated to each right holder.

‘We want to highlight that the accessibility to fish quotas creates economic means to draw socio-economic gains. Therefore, it is crucial that the process for the allocation of fishing quotas is transparent, equitable and sustainable,’ he said.

Klazen added that there will be another industry consultation on the scorecard finalisation, considering the expansion in operations and socio-economic dynamics of the fishing sector.

T
he AFIA is aimed to provide an overview of the various fisheries focusing on the state of the stock, its associated economic performance, the performance of aquaculture and inland fisheries and an update regarding the ministry’s mandated task of monitoring, controlling and surveillance of fisheries in Namibia.

The minister also noted that the ministry will, during the 2024/2025 financial year, undertake a study to review the variation of fishing rights criteria, in an exercise that will ensure compliance, fairness and equity among right holders when varying the duration of their fishing rights.

‘It allows the ministry to assess if right holders adhere to the set variation criteria and implement applicable measures, which will inform the continuation or termination of such fishing rights.’

Meanwhile, Chairperson of the Confederation of the Namibian Fishing Associations, Matti Amukwa, stressed that the delay in the finalisation of the scorecard causes a lack of planning for industry players, an issue which h
e adds often contributes to underperformance by right holders.

‘It is very difficult to always start mobilising immediately when a quota is issued, most times in bits and right now, we all know the Total Allowable Catch, but no one knows how much quota to expect. We therefore call upon operationalisation of the scorecard without delay.’

Source: The Namibian Press Agency