In this interview, Wet Landed Small Pelagic Association (WLSPA) chairperson Johny Johnson Doëseb (JJD) calls for science-led management of Namibia’s horse mackerel fishery, cautioning against increasing total allowable catches (TACs) without clear evidence of sustainable stock recovery.
He discusses concerns over low juvenile abundance, actual catches falling well below allocated quotas, the economic importance of the wet-landed sector, quota allocations, bycatch management and international market access.
Doëseb also highlights the need for stronger collaboration between government, scientists, economists and industry to balance marine conservation with local employment, processing and economic value addition.
Q: Chairperson, recent survey results showed an increase in horse mackerel biomass. Does this mean Namibia should increase the TAC?
JJD: Not necessarily. The increase in survey biomass is encouraging, but biomass estimates alone cannot determine sustainable harvest levels.
A survey provides a snapshot of the stock at a point in time. TAC decisions must also consider recruitment trends, stock structure, catch rates, age composition, fishing performance and broader scientific assessment outcomes.
The danger is confusing an encouraging signal with a recovered resource.
Q: What was the most important outcome from the recent Ministry-industry engagement?
JJD: The return of meaningful engagement.
Under the minister and current ministry leadership, we are once again seeing the constructive cooperation between government, scientists, economists and industry that historically served Namibia very well.
The discussions were transparent and professional. Most importantly, all parties shared the common goal of rebuilding and protecting the resource.
Q: You have expressed concern about juvenile abundance. Why?
JJD: This is one of the most important issues discussed.
While overall biomass estimates showed improvement, the assessment also indicated relatively low juvenile abundance.
Low juvenile abundance may point towards weak recruitment into the stock. In simple terms, fewer young fish entering the population today could translate into fewer adults available to support the fishery tomorrow.
Nobody has a definitive answer yet regarding the underlying causes, which is precisely why caution is required.
A healthy fishery depends not only on fish present today but also on future generations of fish entering the stock.
Q: What message does WLSPA want policymakers to take from the scientific discussions?
JJD: Let science lead.
The TAC has already been reduced from 330 000 tonnes in 2022 to 197 000 tonnes in 2026, a reduction of more than 40%.
Those reductions were intended to support stock recovery. Before increasing harvest pressure, we need clear scientific evidence that recovery is sustainable and that recruitment is healthy.
If the scientific assessment ultimately supports a TAC closer to 160 000 tonnes to achieve long-term biological targets, that option should not be dismissed.
Q: So, what is WLSPA ultimately calling for?
JJD: Responsible, science-based management.
Namibia’s fisheries reputation has been built on difficult but responsible decisions. We should continue along that path.
The objective is not the largest possible TAC. The objective is the healthiest possible horse mackerel stock for future generations.
Why higher TAC’s are not producing higher catches
Q: There are calls for a higher TAC. Why is WLSPA urging caution?
JJD: Because one critical fact is often overlooked.
For approximately the last six years, industry has not harvested anywhere near the allocated horse mackerel TAC despite having substantially greater catching capacity available.
In fact, the fleet’s estimated catching capacity is roughly 300% higher than the catches being landed.
Q: What does that tell us?
JJD: It tells us that quota availability is not the primary constraint.
If fish abundance was not a concern, vessels would already be catching closer to the allocated TAC.
A bigger TAC on paper does not automatically create more fish in the ocean.
The real limiting factors are stock availability, fish distribution, operational realities and economic viability.
Q: Why is this distinction important?
JJD: Because many people incorrectly assume that TAC equals catch.
There are three very different numbers:
1. Survey biomass.
2. The approved TAC.
3. The actual fish landed.
These numbers serve completely different purposes.
Management decisions should be based on all three, not on TAC alone.
Q: Does the industry’s inability to catch the TAC support a more conservative approach?
JJD: Absolutely.
If catches are already significantly below allocated quotas, increasing the TAC may create little practical benefit while increasing biological risk.
We must first understand why catches remain below available quotas before assuming that a higher TAC is required.
The fish are telling us something. We should listen.
Q: What should policymakers focus on?
JJD: Actual fish caught, recruitment trends, stock recovery and scientific advice.
The discussion should move beyond quota numbers and focus on the long-term health of the resource.
“Protecting Namibia’s Wet-Landed Horse Mackerel Industry”
Q: Why is WLSPA emphasizing the importance of the wet-landed horse mackerel sector?
JJD: Because the wet-landed sector is fundamentally different.
Wet-landed horse mackerel is landed fresh in Namibia and processed locally. This supports factories, transport businesses, packaging suppliers and significant direct and indirect employment.
Every tonne landed contributes towards local value addition rather than simply harvesting a raw resource.
Q: WLSPA has expressed concern about quota conversions to freezer operations. Why?
JJD: We remain concerned that the continued conversion of Wet Landed Horse Mackerel quotas to freezer vessel operations may undermine government objectives regarding employment creation, local processing and economic value addition.
The wet sector contributes substantially to onshore economic activity and should remain an important consideration in future allocation decisions.
This is not about opposing freezer operations. It is about maintaining a balanced fishery that maximizes benefits for Namibia.
Q: Why are dedicated operational areas important for the wet sector?
JJD: Because the wet fishery operates differently from freezer fleets.
Wet operators use refrigerated seawater (RSW) vessels specifically configured for this fishery.
Suitable concentrations of horse mackerel required for wet operations are generally found within the 200-metre depth zone. Outside these areas, operations often become commercially unviable.
Q: Does the wet sector have sustainability advantages?
JJD: Yes.
RSW vessels are designed to target suitable horse mackerel sizes while minimizing unwanted catches and bycatch.
The wet sector therefore plays an important role in responsible resource utilization while contributing significantly to local employment.
Q: What is WLSPA asking policymakers to consider?
JJD: We are asking decision-makers to recognize the strategic value of the wet fishery.
Employment, local processing, food security and value addition should remain central considerations alongside biological management objectives.
Bycatch, MSC Certification and the Future of Sustainable Fisheries
Q: Why has WLSPA raised concerns about bycatch levels?
JJD: Because bycatch is increasingly important to fisheries sustainability and international market requirements.
We share concerns regarding bycatch levels within parts of the horse mackerel fishery, particularly where other commercially important species may be affected.
Responsible resource management requires us to continually improve selectivity and reduce unnecessary impacts on other species.
Q: How could bycatch affect Namibia commercially?
JJD: Global seafood markets increasingly demand proof of sustainable fishing practices.
Certification programmes such as the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) are becoming more important each year.
Poor bycatch performance could potentially create challenges for certification programmes and market access opportunities in the future.
For that reason, bycatch management is not only an environmental issue but also an economic issue.
Q: How does the wet sector fit into this discussion?
JJD: The wet-landed sector generally operates highly selective fishing methods using dedicated RSW trawlers.
This contributes towards reducing unwanted catches while supporting local processing and employment.
We believe these characteristics should be recognized when future management measures are considered.
Q: What role should scientists and economists play going forward?
JJD: Both are essential.
One of the most positive outcomes of the recent engagement was seeing scientists and economists sharing information openly with industry and transparently.
Scientific evidence tells us what is happening to the resource.
Economic analysis helps us understand the implications for employment, investment and value addition.
Good decisions require both.
Q: What is your final message regarding the future of the fishery?
JJD: Namibia has one of the most respected fisheries management systems in the world.
The path forward is clear:
• Continue collaboration between industry, scientists and government.
• Protect recruitment and future stock growth.
• Monitor and reduce bycatch where possible.
• Support sectors that create employment and value addition.
• Base TAC decisions on science, not sentiment.
If we do that, Namibia will protect both its marine resources and the livelihoods that depend on them.
“Sustainability is not achieved by harvesting more fish today. Sustainability is achieved by ensuring there are enough fish, jobs and opportunities for tomorrow.”
