Illegal fishing concerns Klazen
Undermines efforts to conserve, manage fish stock
Namibia's EEZ extends for 200 nautical miles from the shoreline outwards towards the ocean.
Fisheries ministry Derek Klazen says illegal fishing activities occurring in Namibia’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ) are a threat to fish stocks.
He made the remarks during a Cabinet briefing this week.
The EEZ extends for 200 nautical miles from the shoreline outwards towards the ocean.
“Fishing in Namibia’s EEZ is of serious and increasing concern as illegal, unreported and unregulated [IUU] fishing undermines efforts to conserve and manage fish stock in all capture fisheries,” Klazen said.
“The ministry will continue to strengthen its management and control measures to curb and eliminate IUU fishing through collaboration with the fishing industry and our neighbouring states.”
According to him, the ministry carried out nine sea patrol missions and 688 patrols along the coast during the current fiscal year. A further 35 aerial surveillance missions, 39 river patrols and 453 patrols on land along inland water bodies were undertaken.
Namibianisation of fishing rights
Klazen underscored the importance of the fisheries sector, saying it contributed greatly to the economy.
“The Namibian government - through the fisheries ministry – has successfully reformed the management of fish stocks and focused on developing the fishery sector as a national asset in terms of sound management of fish stocks and promoting national employment in the sector via domestic fishing and processing efforts,” he said.
The sector is also overwhelmingly managed by Namibians, he highlighted.
“Our fishing sector has changed greatly in terms of Namibianisation of fishing rights, employment, value addition, number of fleet, processing plants, investment, regional development and corporate social responsibility for broader beneficiation. As it stands, at least 95% of all fishing right holders are Namibians,” the minister said.
He made the remarks during a Cabinet briefing this week.
The EEZ extends for 200 nautical miles from the shoreline outwards towards the ocean.
“Fishing in Namibia’s EEZ is of serious and increasing concern as illegal, unreported and unregulated [IUU] fishing undermines efforts to conserve and manage fish stock in all capture fisheries,” Klazen said.
“The ministry will continue to strengthen its management and control measures to curb and eliminate IUU fishing through collaboration with the fishing industry and our neighbouring states.”
According to him, the ministry carried out nine sea patrol missions and 688 patrols along the coast during the current fiscal year. A further 35 aerial surveillance missions, 39 river patrols and 453 patrols on land along inland water bodies were undertaken.
Namibianisation of fishing rights
Klazen underscored the importance of the fisheries sector, saying it contributed greatly to the economy.
“The Namibian government - through the fisheries ministry – has successfully reformed the management of fish stocks and focused on developing the fishery sector as a national asset in terms of sound management of fish stocks and promoting national employment in the sector via domestic fishing and processing efforts,” he said.
The sector is also overwhelmingly managed by Namibians, he highlighted.
“Our fishing sector has changed greatly in terms of Namibianisation of fishing rights, employment, value addition, number of fleet, processing plants, investment, regional development and corporate social responsibility for broader beneficiation. As it stands, at least 95% of all fishing right holders are Namibians,” the minister said.
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