Esau appoints new FOA board
Fisheries minister Bernhardt Esau has warned illegal fishing operators in Namibian waters to cease their activities or the ministry would not hesitate to act against them.
He was speaking at an event at the close of last week where he welcomed the new Fisheries Observer Agency (FOA) board on board.
Esau said the FOA will be provided with sufficient resources to assist the ministry and law enforcement to bring an end to illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing.
He said in the past year a specific concern has been regular reports of IUU fishing activities especially around Namibia's northern maritime borders.
“The government has taken measures to increase security in this area, and some concrete actions are already underway. I therefore warn those who may be participating or facilitating these illegal activities that your days are numbered.”
Although he would not divulge details of who was behind the IUU fishing and what actions have been taken to address this issue, he said the FAO will be held accountable to ensure that “we fiercely protect our fisheries”.
He said illegal and unregulated fishing activities are sabotaging jobs and the economy.
The FOA board is tasked to observe the harvesting, handling and processing of marine resources and related operations and to record data concerning such operations.
The minister promptly instructed the board to have their first report ready by the end of January, on data of fish landings at all Namibian ports.
Esau reminded the team that their mandate is not only to observe and report, but to come up with concrete actions on how to address identified challenges and problems.
He said the FAO must work closely with the ministry to find solutions that will address violations observed by the FAO, and in a timely manner.
Another performance task for the FOA board is to collect and record biological and other data related to activities governed by the fisheries act, and to collect samples of marine resources harvested.
The chairperson of the new FOA board, which serves three years, is Martha Murorua, joined by deputy chairperson Inocencio Ordem Verde, as well as Yoolokeni Haihambo, Bonifatius Karry Amutse, Elizabeth Manaizia Joan Swartz and Claudius Shivute Ikera.
JANA-MARI SMITH
He was speaking at an event at the close of last week where he welcomed the new Fisheries Observer Agency (FOA) board on board.
Esau said the FOA will be provided with sufficient resources to assist the ministry and law enforcement to bring an end to illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing.
He said in the past year a specific concern has been regular reports of IUU fishing activities especially around Namibia's northern maritime borders.
“The government has taken measures to increase security in this area, and some concrete actions are already underway. I therefore warn those who may be participating or facilitating these illegal activities that your days are numbered.”
Although he would not divulge details of who was behind the IUU fishing and what actions have been taken to address this issue, he said the FAO will be held accountable to ensure that “we fiercely protect our fisheries”.
He said illegal and unregulated fishing activities are sabotaging jobs and the economy.
The FOA board is tasked to observe the harvesting, handling and processing of marine resources and related operations and to record data concerning such operations.
The minister promptly instructed the board to have their first report ready by the end of January, on data of fish landings at all Namibian ports.
Esau reminded the team that their mandate is not only to observe and report, but to come up with concrete actions on how to address identified challenges and problems.
He said the FAO must work closely with the ministry to find solutions that will address violations observed by the FAO, and in a timely manner.
Another performance task for the FOA board is to collect and record biological and other data related to activities governed by the fisheries act, and to collect samples of marine resources harvested.
The chairperson of the new FOA board, which serves three years, is Martha Murorua, joined by deputy chairperson Inocencio Ordem Verde, as well as Yoolokeni Haihambo, Bonifatius Karry Amutse, Elizabeth Manaizia Joan Swartz and Claudius Shivute Ikera.
JANA-MARI SMITH
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