Creating employment through small-scale fishing

INOCENCIO VERDE

WINDHOEK

My opinion comes at a critical hour because of the eminent amendment of the Marine Resource Act, 2000 (Act NO. 27 of 2000) and as such strategic because of the potential impact it will have on the local economy.

Artisanal fisheries (small-scale fishing) can help create employment and economic activities in coastal and in riverine communities, especially where job options remain limited.

Artisanal fisheries are defined “as small-scale traditional fisheries that may be carried out for subsistence and commercial purpose in which the owner is directly involved in the day-to-day running of the enterprise and relatively small amount of capital is used.”

In Namibia with its 34% unemployment rate (2018), critical thinking around employment creation needs to be explored to change the status quo. We cannot afford to sit idle and leave everything to the government.

Small-scale fisheries are dynamic in nature. They can be conducted full-time, part-time or seasonally, depending on the type of fisheries in the area.

However, the idea is to have this done on a full-time basis to supply fish to the local and domestic markets.

Once implemented, this sector will create an opportunity for further employment in industries such as boat-building, net-making, engine repair and maintenance and transportation.

These opportunities can only be explored once we make provision for artisanal fisheries in the Marine Resource Act.

At present, the Act does not make specific provision for artisanal fishing. It simply highlights recreational and commercial fishing. This is an oversight that needs to be addressed.

While Namibia fishery management is praised as one of the best in the world, we should remain focused on ensuring the status quo is maintained even when artisanal fisheries is introduced.

This can be done by introducing proper control processes like it is done in other countries such as Spain, France, the Netherlands, South Africa, Angola and Nigeria, to name but a few.

Environmentalists reading this article may argue that artisanal fishing may lead to overfishing. I submit that this is not an accurate viewpoint as inshore fishing can happen within the 200-metre depth line in Namibian waters. At the moment, there is minimal activity inshore other than rock lobster fishing and diamond mining. Due to this inactivity inshore, Namibia is disadvantaging itself compared to countries bordering it such as South Africa and Angola that have made provision for such fishing practices.

The fact is, artisanal fisheries is not a new phenomenon. The participants in this sector will make use of small boats (ski boats) and handline gear or any other that may be relevant. Other provisions will be needed to ensure the protection and management of protected species such as rock lobster and sharks.

For this sector to be a success, support from relevant role players other than policymakers is needed. Notably, micro-lending institutions have an important role to play. Their main function is to provide financial assistance to small-scale fishermen to enable the purchasing of equipment.

Ataguba & Olowosegun (2010) suggest that micro-lending institutions do the following:

1. Take the initiative of learning about the small-scale fisheries sector. This is true particularly in our country because of the notion that if it is not done in South Africa, then it cannot be done in Namibia;

2. Develop appropriate financial services, including the adaptation of existing products and services to the fisheries sector;

3. Explore ways to contribute to poverty reduction and fishery management in fishery-dependent areas and develop services to provide these contributions; and

4. Identify other interventions and services needed to support and sustain financial service delivery to fishers.

There is no universal methodology in the implementation processes to ensure the success of artisanal fishing. However, a formalised approach which includes: a) a quota provision for artisanal fishing, b) formation of cooperatives by individuals, c) allocation of quota with an economic value per cooperative and d) continuous monitoring and evaluation process, can assist to see the implementation through.

In conclusion, the multiplier effect of small-scale fishing is enormous.

The ministry of fisheries and marine resources is implored to explore the idea of artisanal fisheries.

* The views expressed are my own and do not represent those of my employer.



*Inocencio Verde is a cutting-edge executive and an operations strategist with a keen interest in community uplifting projects.