Coastal anglers still worried
The government's steep increase in angling permit fees poses a severe threat to the economies of coastal towns such as Henties Bay, which are based on recreational angling.
With Namibia now likely the most pricy recreational angling destination globally, with an annual fishing permit costing N$18 000, the angling community says it will continue to lobby the government to amend the new levies in order to safeguard the sector.
Although the crisis control announcement by the ministry last week that anglers can buy a daily permit for N$50 softened the blow somewhat, anglers and coastal businesses say the steep price increase poses a severe threat to the coastal angling economy.
In essence, the increase from N14 to N$1 500 for monthly permits and from N$168 to N$18 000 for an annual fishing licence could severely affect businesses that depend on the angling community, including amateur and professional anglers, concerned members of the community said.
Moreover, with angling one of the main attractions for many visitors to the coast, with private groups booking accommodation or camping spots for several weeks and professional angling competitions attracting enthusiasts across the region, concerns have been raised that the costly permit increases could force visitors to look elsewhere.
Yesterday it was announced that a ministry of fisheries official had confirmed that he would meet with representatives at Henties Bay tomorrow in order to receive feedback and suggestions from the concerned community, and those who visit the town regularly for angling, on the way forward, Namibian Sun was informed.
“The thing is, this is very bad news for many people, especially here in Henties Bay. The price difference is huge and many are afraid how it will impact the local economy. We are keen to talk to the ministry and to negotiate the way forward. We don't mind a price increase, but it has to be reasonable,” a Henties Bay resident said yesterday.
Henties Bay residents have been particularly vocal about the likely negative impact the steep price increases will have on the town's community and economy.
“Angling is what our town is about, so this is very difficult for us. We will get hurt if the prices are not changed. There is nothing else that keeps this town going, apart from the angling economy,” a Henties Bay resident told Namibian Sun.
Furthermore, members of coastal angling clubs and private anglers are banding together in order to map the way forward.
One of the first steps is a meeting to put their heads together at a meeting on Monday night in order to agree on what steps to take in order to directly address the issue with government in the coming weeks.
Many argue that it is not reasonable for the ministry to apply the same daily N$50 permit costs for a month fee or an annual permit, and the ministry should instead introduce a scaled costing model where the price decreases for permits that are valid for longer.
“For arguments sake, they could retain the daily permit at N$50 dollars, and then for instance say a month permit is N$350 and a year permit N$500,” one of the anglers assisting clubs to address the issue, and who preferred to remain nameless, said.
He said anglers were willing to pay the N$50 fee, but N$1 500 for a monthly permit, or N$18 000 for an annual permit “is extremely costly.”
Research of global permit costs show that Namibia's one-off permit costs are now the highest in the world, and not, as argued by the ministry, in line with South Africa's permit costs.
The fee payable in respect of an application for a permit is N$7 and the cost of an annual permit for angling is N$87, a South African angling website shows. A short-term permit for angling costs N$50.
The discussion on Monday night regarding the way forward will be based on negotiating strategies and suggestions to put forward to the ministry of fisheries, Namibian Sun was informed.
Many agree that direct dialogue with the ministry is the preferred first step, although lawyers have already been consulted for legal advice, should the ministry remain unconvinced by the arguments by anglers.
“Yes, we have reached out for legal advice, but we feel that is a last resort option,” the angler said.
“We will only go to court if the ministry is not open to negotiations at all. But we hope to be able to negotiate and find a golden middle way.”
JANA-MARI SMITH
Although the crisis control announcement by the ministry last week that anglers can buy a daily permit for N$50 softened the blow somewhat, anglers and coastal businesses say the steep price increase poses a severe threat to the coastal angling economy.
In essence, the increase from N14 to N$1 500 for monthly permits and from N$168 to N$18 000 for an annual fishing licence could severely affect businesses that depend on the angling community, including amateur and professional anglers, concerned members of the community said.
Moreover, with angling one of the main attractions for many visitors to the coast, with private groups booking accommodation or camping spots for several weeks and professional angling competitions attracting enthusiasts across the region, concerns have been raised that the costly permit increases could force visitors to look elsewhere.
Yesterday it was announced that a ministry of fisheries official had confirmed that he would meet with representatives at Henties Bay tomorrow in order to receive feedback and suggestions from the concerned community, and those who visit the town regularly for angling, on the way forward, Namibian Sun was informed.
“The thing is, this is very bad news for many people, especially here in Henties Bay. The price difference is huge and many are afraid how it will impact the local economy. We are keen to talk to the ministry and to negotiate the way forward. We don't mind a price increase, but it has to be reasonable,” a Henties Bay resident said yesterday.
Henties Bay residents have been particularly vocal about the likely negative impact the steep price increases will have on the town's community and economy.
“Angling is what our town is about, so this is very difficult for us. We will get hurt if the prices are not changed. There is nothing else that keeps this town going, apart from the angling economy,” a Henties Bay resident told Namibian Sun.
Furthermore, members of coastal angling clubs and private anglers are banding together in order to map the way forward.
One of the first steps is a meeting to put their heads together at a meeting on Monday night in order to agree on what steps to take in order to directly address the issue with government in the coming weeks.
Many argue that it is not reasonable for the ministry to apply the same daily N$50 permit costs for a month fee or an annual permit, and the ministry should instead introduce a scaled costing model where the price decreases for permits that are valid for longer.
“For arguments sake, they could retain the daily permit at N$50 dollars, and then for instance say a month permit is N$350 and a year permit N$500,” one of the anglers assisting clubs to address the issue, and who preferred to remain nameless, said.
He said anglers were willing to pay the N$50 fee, but N$1 500 for a monthly permit, or N$18 000 for an annual permit “is extremely costly.”
Research of global permit costs show that Namibia's one-off permit costs are now the highest in the world, and not, as argued by the ministry, in line with South Africa's permit costs.
The fee payable in respect of an application for a permit is N$7 and the cost of an annual permit for angling is N$87, a South African angling website shows. A short-term permit for angling costs N$50.
The discussion on Monday night regarding the way forward will be based on negotiating strategies and suggestions to put forward to the ministry of fisheries, Namibian Sun was informed.
Many agree that direct dialogue with the ministry is the preferred first step, although lawyers have already been consulted for legal advice, should the ministry remain unconvinced by the arguments by anglers.
“Yes, we have reached out for legal advice, but we feel that is a last resort option,” the angler said.
“We will only go to court if the ministry is not open to negotiations at all. But we hope to be able to negotiate and find a golden middle way.”
JANA-MARI SMITH
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