New fishing right holders receive guidance

Niël Terblanché

THE admission of hundreds of new right holders into the Namibian fishing industry will have to be a guided process to ensure that all Namibians benefit from the country’s rich marine resources.

In this regard, the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources, has launched a short induction process for new right holders.

Fisheries Minister, Derek Klazen, officiated at the official opening of the induction event that is scheduled to run over the next three days.

He said that the way in which business in the fishing industry will be conducted in the future will be worlds apart from what people are used to or expecting.

“Forming joint ventures to obtain rights must surely be a clear indicator of how the fisheries industry will be managed and how the proceeds from it will be distributed. The old days of quickly signing contracts with the various fishing companies for quick money is forever a thing of the past,” Klazen said.

The fact that right holders had to form joint ventures has already weeded out the charlatans and further obligations to use their revenue from their endeavours to fund tangible community upliftment projects has further reduced the field of chancers.

“The rights were awarded to holders with the socio-economic development of all communities in mind. Checks and balances were built into the new policies that will regulate the fishing industry, which means that social responsibility will now have to benefit communities in the long run,” the minister said.

Klazen used the example of building classrooms, providing affordable housing, and providing access to basic services such as water in the form of boreholes to highlight how the days of quickly donating a few tins of fish to disadvantaged communities have come and gone.

“Instead, working together as a group should afford you leverage when negotiating with technical operators, allow you to learn from other right-holders and gaining experiences on how to serve as directors of companies amongst others or simply afford an opportunity to learn another local language,” he said.

He said the absence of guiding principles and a lack of understanding of operational, as well as governance infrastructure, gets people anxious about the future, choosing instead to be un-coupled from their joint venture formations.

“This is exactly why this session has been organised, to guide you on a path of prosperity in your new found industry of fisheries and ensure that you appreciate this opportunity afforded you as a right holder,” he said.

According to Klazen, participants in the induction sessions will soon learn to what extent their responsibilities will go.

“This program will cover many topics on the fishing industry ranging from Policy and Legal Framework with specific emphasis on Conditions of Rights and Quotas, the responsibility of paying fees and levies linked to your quota, the idea and the dynamics of Joint Venture formations and the completion of quota and license applications. Furthermore, you should be comforted by the fact that these sessions shall be followed by an interactive session for questions and discussions,” he said.

The fisheries minister urged the new right holders to use the sessions to seek as much clarity on these and other issues and to engage all presenters with questions.

“In the end, all of us have the same objectives, that of seeing as many people benefiting and living quality lives from our natural resources while stimulating new enterprises, even outside of the fisheries sector in order to ensure that we all leave a great legacy for our children. A legacy of sustainability, growth and great stewardship of our ocean and marine ecosystems,” he said.

Klazen urged the participants at the induction sessions to use every minute productively.