MPs declare war on fish-eating seals

Rally for Democracy and Progress (RDP) president Mike Kavekotora has tabled a motion in parliament that calls for the culling of seals, as he believes these animals are consuming fish that should be fed to Namibians. He argued that the lives of animals cannot override those of human beings.Dudu Murorua of the United Democratic Front (UDF) supported the motion and called for proper research into seals’ fish consumption and how this impacts the fish population. It was previously revealed that seals consume more pilchards than Namibians do in a year, he said.“Fish is not affordable, that is why we have created a system in Walvis Bay so our people can afford [it]. Fish is scarce and it is inaccessible for the ordinary Namibian. Seals eat a lot of fish. Everything, they even eat hake! They eat salmon, one of the most expensive fish there is,” he said.ContentiousIn Namibia, seal culling is a contentious issue, with animal-rights groups opposing the practice as brutal. Government has, however, supported the culling, saying the seal population may damage the fishing industry, which is strategic to the Namibian economy.According to Kavekotora, there can be no justification for calls from international bodies and animal-rights groups that wildlife matters more than human survival.He also said it is mind-blowing that African countries - with residents languishing in poverty - are forced to burn tonnes and tonnes of ivory, while western countries dictate to Africa after having depleted the continent’s resources for their own gain.“This motion seeks guidance from this house to strike a balance between our fish stock and the population of the Cape fur seals in Namibian waters. The total seal population in Namibia is conservatively estimated at around 1.6 million. I am informed that just 15 years ago, that figure stood at 180 000. On average, one seal eats four kilograms of fish per day. That equates to 1.6 million times four kilograms for 365 days, which is 2.3 million tonnes of fish per annum,” he said.Meanwhile, the total allowable catch for all types of fish is around 500 000 tonnes per year – which, according to Kavekotora, should be a great concern compared to the rate at which seals consume fish.Highly chargedFormer acting fisheries minister Albert Kawana said the issue of seal culling is a great problem as government has - in the past - joined Canada in a court case against the European Union, and lost the case.He added that this is a very highly-charged political subject, and that Namibia has tried its utmost best to address the issue, but animal-rights organisations are very powerful.jemima@namibiansun.com

MPs declare war on fish-eating seals

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Namibian Sun 2025-05-02

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MPs declare war on fish-eating seals

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Namibian Sun 2025-05-02

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