Niël Terblanché
The Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources has firmly denied recent allegations circulating on social media regarding the purported sale of fishing quotas to the Angolan government.
Annely Haiphene, the executive director of the fisheries ministry said in a statement that the baseless claims, initially made by social justice activist, Michael Amushelelo on a social media platform, have been dismissed as unfounded and misleading.
Haiphene clarified that Namibia’s allocation of fishing quotas is strictly governed by the Marine Resources Act (Act 27 of 2000, as amended).
She said that under this Act, specifically section 33, commercial fishing quotas are exclusively granted to Namibian right holders who meet the necessary criteria.
Additionally, government objective fishing quotas are auctioned by the Ministry of Finance and Public Enterprises, with a preference for Namibian companies.
Quotas are allocated to the highest bidder, ensuring a transparent and competitive process.
Haiphene also stressed that bilateral fishing quotas are granted to countries through agreements ratified within the Southern African Development Community (SADC), as contemplated in section 35 of the Marine Resources Act.
“These agreements are designed to advance the mutual social and economic interests of the respective nations and are published in the Government Gazette as required by section 36 of the Act,” she said.
Haiphene noted that there is no existing bilateral agreement between Namibia and Angola that would lead to the sale of fishing quotas to the Angolan government.
“Furthermore, the Angolan government has not participated in nor acquired any fishing quotas through recent government auctions,” she added
She reiterated the Ministry’s commitment to the sustainable management and utilization of fisheries resources for the benefit of both current and future generations of Namibians.
Haiphene stressed the Ministry’s adherence to the highest standards of transparency, accountability, and regulatory compliance in all its operations.
She urged the public to exercise caution and discernment when encountering misinformation on social media platforms.
“For accurate information regarding fisheries management in Namibia, individuals are encouraged to engage directly with the Ministry,” she said.
