Staff Writer
Only 800 out of more than 5,000 applications received by the Ministry of Fisheries meet the set requirements to be considered for allocation of fishing quotas, the Windhoek Observer can reveal.
As part of their application, applicants were to be judged on a scorecard system to determine their contribution to the socio-economic development of Namibia and its people, including a broad participation at shareholder level to include youth, women, people with disabilities, and persons from economically disadvantaged regions, liberation war veterans and worker trusts, among other requirements.
The revelations come as the University of Namibia which had been contracted to complete the verification process, has completed the task.
The list of the shortlisted applicants according to insiders has now been submitted to the Cabinet Committee for deliberation, after which the qualifying applicant’s applications will be submitted to Cabinet for approval.
When contacted for comment, the Executive Director in the Ministry of Fisheries, Dr. Moses Maurihungirire was non-committal.
“I’m not sure about that. I cannot comment at this moment. You can call me later,” he said, before ending the call.
Efforts to contact Fisheries minister, Albert Kawana were futile, as his phone went unanswered.
The announcement of fishing rights holders who are then allocated different quotas to harvest different fish species within Namibian waters annually, was supposed to have been announced in March.
In 2018, 96 fishing rights were made available for nine fishery species, namely hake, horse mackerel, monk, red crab, rock lobster, line fish, large pelagic, mullet and seal.
Despite over 5,000 applications having been submitted by various entities to be considered for fishing rights in 2018, the arduous process is still to be finalized.
The allocation delays forced then Acting fisheries minister Albert Kawana last year to extend fishing rights of 100 individuals and entities to ensure continuity in the sector until the granting of new fishing rights.
Kawana, who is now the substantive fisheries minister, was appointed as acting minister in November 2019, replacing former fisheries minister Bernhard Esau who resigned after being exposed over his alleged role in what is now known as the Fishrot scandal. He had been overseeing the allocation process for the new allocation of fishing rights.
About 16,000 people are employed in the country’s fishing sector.
