Staff Reporter
The Total Allowable Catch (TAC) for hake has been reduced from 133,000 metric tonnes (MT) to 116,000 MT for the 2026/2027 fishing season.
“The hake TAC has been reduced by 17,000 MT, from 133,000 MT to 116,000 MT, representing a 13% reduction. This reduction comes against the backdrop of declining fish stocks, necessitating a precautionary approach to fisheries management to ensure the long-term sustainability of Namibia’s marine resources,” Romeo Muyunda, spokesperson for the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform, explained.
He also confirmed that the TAC for rock lobster remains unchanged at 180 MT for the 2026/2027 fishing season.
“In line with the Government’s policy direction towards promoting greater onshore value addition, employment creation and economic beneficiation, the Ministry will consult towards achieving the Government’s long-term objective of 100% wet fish allocation. This policy direction is intended to encourage increased landings, strengthen shore-based fish processing activities, stimulate investment in local processing capacity and maximise employment opportunities for Namibians throughout the fisheries value chain,” Muyunda added.
He also announced that fishing right holders whose rights expire during the 2026/2027 fishing season will receive prorated quota allocations corresponding to the remaining validity periods of their fishing rights.
“The balance of their potential allocations will not be released automatically but will be subject to the outcomes of the ongoing fishing rights evaluation process. The 2026/2027 fishing season is further characterised by a significant number of fishing rights scheduled to expire on 31 December 2026 and 31 May 2027, respectively,” he said.
According to Muyunda, substantial progress has been made in evaluating the affected fishing rights. He said the evaluation process is expected to be concluded, and the outcomes communicated to the respective right holders, before their rights expire.
“We therefore appeal to the fishing industry to exercise patience and understanding as we navigate the challenges associated with declining fish stocks while ensuring that the allocation process remains transparent, fair and consistent with the applicable legal framework,” he said.
Muyunda also encouraged the fishing industry to prioritise and increase the supply of fish to the domestic market, particularly given the impact of Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) and its potential implications for the availability and supply of meat products.
“With the current outbreak of Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) and its potential impact on the availability and supply of meat products, the Ministry encourages the fishing industry to prioritise and increase the supply of fish to the domestic market. Fish remains an important and nutritious alternative source of animal protein, particularly during periods when the supply of other protein sources may be constrained,” Muyunda added.
Picture for illustrative purposes only. Photo: File
