Renthia Kaimbi
Minister of agriculture, fisheries, water and land reform, Inge Zaamwani has officially put into effect a Cabinet decision to increase penalty fees on bycatch, raising the levy from 15% to 50%.
In a letter dated 12 June 2026 and addressed to finance minister Ericah Shafudah, Zaamwani formally requested approval for the increase, which is grounded in Section 44 of the Marine Resources Act and follows consultation with the Marine Resource Advisory Council.
The letter outlines that the ministry has observed an alarming increase in bycatch volumes reported by right holders in recent years.
Bycatch, defined under the Act as “any marine resource harvested in an attempt to harvest a different marine resource,” has emerged as a critical challenge threatening marine biodiversity and the sustainability of key species, including hake, pilchard, chub mackerel, and horse mackerel.
While the ministry acknowledges that the capture of non-target species is not entirely avoidable during fishing operations, statistics show that right holders are landing excessive bycatch alongside their main target species, with some fisheries recording increases of more than 200% over the past decades.
To address this situation, the ministry convened a stakeholder consultation in Walvis Bay on 9 December 2024, engaging industry representatives, fishing associations, and regulatory bodies.
The discussions emphasised the need for stricter regulations and collaborative platforms to tackle the growing problem.
Currently, bycatch is regulated under Government Gazette Notice No. 158 of 26 June 2017, which requires quota holders to pay a 15% levy on every kilogram of bycatch landed for the benefit of the Marine Resources Fund.
However, the ministry noted that the existing framework does not provide for the determination of specific bycatch levels.
Following an analysis of bycatch trends across all commercially exploited fisheries from 1997 to 2025, the ministry determined that bycatch is often targeted for its economic value.
This analysis served as the yardstick to develop a species-specific percentage threshold of 2% on allowable bycatch, in line with Section 61(1)(k) of the Marine Resources Act, which authorises the minister to make regulations establishing permitted levels of bycatch and providing for their disposal and the levying of fees.
“The Ministry analysed by-catch trends across all commercially exploited fisheries for the period 1997-2025. The analysis indicated that bycatch is targeted for its economic value, with a sharp increase of more than 200% in some fisheries, particularly in Pilchard and Total Allowable Catch-regulated species,” Zaamwani noted in the letter.
“The implication of the % threshold is that a right holder whose by-catches exceed its respective % threshold would forfeit such by-catches at no cost to the Government for Governmental Objectives.”
In addition to forfeiture, the ministry has recommended an annual public listing of bycatch violators to discourage non-compliance.
The letter further explains that the increase from 15% to 50% aligns with Section 44(1) and (4) of the Marine Resources Act, which empowers the minister, after consultation with the Advisory Council and with the approval of the finance minister, to determine fees payable for the harvesting of marine resources.
Zaamwani’s letter attached the Marine Resource Advisory Council’s advice report for consideration and formally sought the green light to implement the increased levy as part of broader measures to safeguard Namibia’s fisheries.
The decision was initially announced by information minister Emma Theofelus following the 16th Cabinet meeting on 7 August 2025 and is part of a broader set of stringent measures targeting excessive bycatch, which has become a critical challenge for Namibia’s fishing industry.
The 50% levy will apply to any catch exceeding a newly introduced 2% bycatch threshold, which has been reduced from the previous 5% limit.
The new regulations previously received backing from some industry players, with the Wet Landed Small Pelagic Association describing the decision as “progressive leadership” that aligns Namibia with international best practices.
However, the Confederation of Namibian Fishing Associations (CNFA) had expressed concern that the “one-size-fits-all” approach could paralyse vessels, significantly increase operational costs, and negatively affect employment in the sector.
They had appealed for urgent consultation with individual fishing sectors to determine more suitable bycatch percentages for each industry.
Industry players who spoke to the Windhoek Observer on Sunday, however, questioned why it took nearly a year to implement the 50% levy hike.
“The delay of gazetting the Cabinet decision was beneficial to a selected few. And the government cannot hold anyone accountable unless the amendment comes into force. Why did it take so long to implement?” an industry player asked.
In a related development, President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah held a meeting with the Confederation of Namibian Fishing Associations at State House on Thursday, where she reaffirmed the government’s dedication to the fishing industry, recognising its essential contribution to employment, food security, and foreign exchange generation.
She also urged renewed efforts to promote the national fish consumption initiative originally introduced by Founding President Sam Nujoma, aimed at ensuring that Namibians benefit more directly from the country’s marine wealth.
CNFA chairperson Matti Amukwa acknowledged the sector’s substantial role in the national economy as a vital source of jobs, livelihoods, and state revenue.
The association also used the platform to voice concerns about recent policy contradictions and regulatory uncertainties, which it warned could erode investor confidence and threaten the industry’s future viability.
The CNFA offered recommendations to address the current challenges, particularly in light of declining fish stocks and the pressing need to secure the sector’s long-term health.
Nandi-Ndaitwah welcomed the open dialogue and reiterated the government’s commitment to sustained engagement with all industry stakeholders, emphasising the shared goal of building a sustainable, competitive, and prosperous fisheries sector for generations to come.
