Small-scale fishers face challenges

About 100 small-scale fishermen and women at Ulili in the Okatyali constituency, Oshana Region, lack appropriate fishing gear as well as an understanding of the laws and regulations that guide fishing activities in Namibia.These are some of the challenges the men and women face whose livelihoods depend on the small-scale fisheries (SSF) sector.As part of government’s efforts, in partnership with the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), and Namibia&#039;s national plan of action for small scale fisheries (NPOA-SSF), a three-day workshop is being held at Ongwediva from 8 to 10 November.The action plan is aimed at recognising the important role that the sector plays in socio-economic growth and economic transformation.DifficultiesChief fisheries biologist in the fisheries and marine resources ministry, Elizabeth Ndivayele, said among the challenges faced by small-scale fishers is a lack of water-protective clothing such as floating jackets.She said many fishers also have limited knowledge of swimming, especially women."I once asked one fisherwoman, and she said she cannot swim; she said she relies on Psalm 23, the Lord is her Shepherd. This cannot be the way to go because God helps those who help themselves, so we need to assist our fishermen and women," she advised.Ndivayele said the quantity of fish harvested annually at Ulili is not known but that the group produces a lot.Lack of resourcesShe said the fishers&#039; fishing camps are often set up in unhygienic conditions due to a lack of proper sanitation in the area, which is very remotely located."There is a lack of clean water and toilet facilities. There is also a lack of fuel (firewood) for cooking and no cooling facilities, and if the catch of the day is too much, it may take time to finish gutting and drying, and as a result, the catch spoils," Ndivayele said.More challengesShe said the long distance to the market makes it extremely hard for the catch to be sold."We do not have a market ready in itself. Our outlets currently do not take dry fish, so they resort to pension collecting days to get rid of some of it."She said the ministry is responsible for providing the necessary training and frequent monitoring of the farmers’ progress at the fish farms."Despite some of the challenges that fish farming is faced with, such as the shortage of water in some areas, the potential is still there. All it needs is action and commitment," Ndivayele said.Help requiredSimon Kambala, who has been a fisherman at Ulili for 24 years, said at least 30 fish are caught on some days.Kambala said their biggest challenge is that they only have one boat to go in the lake, which is not enough for 100 of them.He said donations for additional boats will be welcomed "so that we don’t drown, because the water levels can be high. We also need coolers so we can preserve some of it," he said.Kambala said they have limited processing tools, so they can only dry the fish; they have no other options for packaging available to them. He stated that this can include tinned fish as well as preserving and storing fresh fish.tuyeimo@namibiansun.com

Small-scale fishers face challenges

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Namibian Sun 2025-06-20

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Small-scale fishers face challenges

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Namibian Sun 2025-06-20

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