Horse mackerel sector eyes job growth, calls for more local skills

The Wet Landed Small Pelagic Association says Namibia’s wet-landed horse mackerel sector has demonstrated its ability to create jobs and economic value through land-based processing while maintaining environmentally responsible fishing practices grounded in science.

Speaking to the media on Thursday, association chairperson Johnny Doeseb said the sector’s value extends far beyond fishing itself.

“The value lies within the broader value chain: employment, logistics, transport, utilities, administration and the wider economy all benefit from land-based processing,” he said.

He stressed that national priorities should focus on job creation and inclusive economic participation, arguing that Namibia could draw lessons from the hake sector.

"If it were up to me, I would advocate for the same approach taken in the hake sector… Namibia’s unemployment rate can only be reduced through industrialisation and policies that ensure the nation benefits from its natural resources.”

Doeseb also highlighted the scientific basis of the subsector’s fishing practices, pointing to three years of data collected during an experimental quota period within the 200-metre isobath restriction zone.

“Only 1% juvenile fish were caught during the period, while bycatch levels remained below 6%. These findings show that the methods used are aligned with conservation objectives and support long-term sustainability,” he said.

200 m isobath zone 

The association has welcomed government's decision to temporarily relax the 200-metre restriction for wet horse mackerel trawling, describing it as evidence-based.

“Government’s decisions in this regard are science-based,” Doeseb said, noting that the restriction was originally introduced after independence to conserve resources for future generations. The recent experiment, he added, was intended to determine whether responsible fishing could take place within controlled areas.

For the next 12 months, operations will be limited to specific zones rather than the entire coastline.

“During the experimental phase, wet landers operated within the 200-metre zone along the entire coastline… however, for this particular year, operations will only be concentrated within the designated areas and not across the full coastline,” he explained. 

Doeseb added that Cabinet plans to gazette the 200-metre zone, formalising restrictions while allowing activity only under strict conditions. “Activities in these zones will only take place under approved conditions and oversight, reflecting the responsible approach Cabinet is promoting,” he said, adding that the industry had been consulted throughout the process.

Reinforcing the subsector’s environmental credentials, he said: “Our method of fishing is highly selective. We target schools of fish that are of the correct size and avoid juveniles,” noting that such selectivity is uncommon in many fisheries.

Allocations and skills shortages 

Despite these strengths, Doeseb identified allocation policy as a key constraint. Wet-landed operations currently receive about 10% of the total horse mackerel total allowable catch (TAC) yet account for nearly 80% of employment in the industry.

“This clearly demonstrates that more jobs are created through land-based operations, which is where the real value and sustainability of the fisheries sector lies,” he said.

The association is proposing a minimum allocation of 20 000 metric tonnes per processing facility annually.

With three factories in operation, this would total 60 000 tonnes. Doeseb noted that these facilities have the capacity to process more than 180 000 tonnes each year but remain underutilised due to limited allocations. “With adequate allocations, operational efficiency can be achieved and maintained,” he said.

He added that increased allocations would have ripple effects across the economy, benefiting logistics, cold storage, packaging and transport. The association is also advocating for a seasonal closure between August and September to allow fish stocks to recover. “Our recommendations are environmentally friendly and firmly supported by science,” Doeseb said.

Over the past three years, companies participating in the experimental programme landed only 15% of their allocation, which he said reflects a cautious and sustainability-driven approach.

The sector also plays a significant role in transformation, with women making up around 70% of the workforce and growing participation from young people. “Many of these young employees are highly skilled and hold tertiary qualifications, demonstrating the sector’s potential to contribute even more to national development,” he said.

However, skills shortages remain a concern. Doeseb noted that Namibia still lacks sufficient locally trained skippers. “Training local people is a shared responsibility. Namibia cannot continue to rely on imported expertise when there is an opportunity to develop local skills capacity,” he said, calling for closer collaboration with institutions such as the Namibian Maritime and Fisheries Institute.

Balanced approach

Turning to other small pelagic species, Doeseb also addressed developments in the pilchard sector. He said the association supports government’s moratorium, which has contributed to stock recovery. “We cannot simply reopen the TAC for the species without ensuring that the stock has recovered,” he said.

However, he called for more timely decision-making on allocations, noting that the fishing season is already well underway. “We are therefore appealing to the leadership to make the governmental objective available to operators of processing facilities,” he said.

The association is proposing a 30 000-tonne governmental objective, which could allow facilities to resume operations immediately and significantly boost employment. Etosha, he noted, could increase its workforce from 450 to around 900 jobs by operating two shifts, while others could create hundreds more positions.

Doeseb emphasised that land-based processing remains central to job creation, currently supporting around 1 700 jobs. “Four vessels operating in Namibian waters are able to sustain these jobs, compared to freezer vessels that create significantly fewer employment opportunities,” he said.

He also pointed to operational challenges, noting that many factories run for only part of the year while still carrying fixed costs such as electricity, water and maintenance. The recently introduced 12-month arrangement, he said, is a positive step that allows for better planning and improved job security.

On broader environmental management, Doeseb noted Cabinet’s decision to advertise seal harvesting rights as part of maintaining ecological balance, stressing that this must be done responsibly. He also expressed support for reducing the horse mackerel TAC to around 180 000 tonnes, in line with scientific recommendations, to ease pressure on stocks.

“This approach balances ecological sustainability with social and economic needs,” he said, adding that long-term stock recovery would secure both the resource and jobs for future generations.

Doeseb emphasised that stronger collaboration between government and industry will be key to unlocking the sector’s full potential, improving sustainability and maximising economic benefits for Namibians.