Esau recalls new fishing fees
Anglers across the country and borders were jubilant on Friday after fisheries minister Bernhardt Esau personally intervened and recalled the controversially steep fishing levies announced last month to widespread outcries.
On Friday the minister's decision to withdraw the new and contentious coastal angling fees until a new pricing structure is concluded following further consultations, was praised far and wide.
“This is fantastic news for everyone. Thank you to all for your patience in this matter. It just shows that we live in a very good country, where government is prepared to still listen to its people,” an angler posted on Facebook.
Ministerial coastal permit offices on Thursday last week already displayed a ministerial notice, announcing that permit prices had reverted to the previous N$14 for a monthly permit, and N$168 for an annual permit.
The issue dates back to last month, when the coastal angling and tourism industry were left reeling after a shock announcement by the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources that a monthly fishing permit would be increased to N$1 500, or N$50 per day.
Annual coastal fishing licenses increased to N$18 000 per year, up from N$168.
Namibia Chamber of Environment (NCE) CEO Chris Brown pointed out earlier this month that for a family of four, based on the new and now cancelled fishing fees, a month's fishing holiday would have cost N$6 000.
Brown added that the average wage in Namibia according to the Labour Force Survey from 2014 was N$6 626 per month, which “gives context to the thoughtlessness of the licence fee increase.”
On Friday, Esau confirmed that he decided to withdraw the controversial government gazette notice 158 and would order new round of consultations with stakeholders to determine suitable levies.
The minister told reporters that as a Namibian who grew up alongside the coast, he could relate to the myriad of concerns that were raised and the importance of a thriving angling community.
“We feel there were not sufficient consultations with the stakeholder and members of the angling community, and we need to go back to the drawing board on these fees and levies,” he said.
“In the meantime, the old regime will apply and extensive consultations must be held.”
Esau said he would personally ensure that before the next proposed fees and levies are announced, he will make sure the suggestions are scrutinised by a special advisory body before he will “say yes or no.”
Esau said he had especially taken note of concerns raised by communities who feared that the new fees would crush the recreational angling sector and tourism, as well as the impact on individuals whose livelihoods are based on the angling sector.
The minister said had heard the “outcry and concerns of the communities, who said the new levies would cause serious socio-economic harm” to towns like Henties Bay, a popular angling destination, not only locally but also internationally.
He said he was also worried of the impact of the new levies on “vulnerable people living along coastal towns, including pensioners, or those who visit the coast to fish for recreation.”
JANA-MARI SMITH
On Friday the minister's decision to withdraw the new and contentious coastal angling fees until a new pricing structure is concluded following further consultations, was praised far and wide.
“This is fantastic news for everyone. Thank you to all for your patience in this matter. It just shows that we live in a very good country, where government is prepared to still listen to its people,” an angler posted on Facebook.
Ministerial coastal permit offices on Thursday last week already displayed a ministerial notice, announcing that permit prices had reverted to the previous N$14 for a monthly permit, and N$168 for an annual permit.
The issue dates back to last month, when the coastal angling and tourism industry were left reeling after a shock announcement by the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources that a monthly fishing permit would be increased to N$1 500, or N$50 per day.
Annual coastal fishing licenses increased to N$18 000 per year, up from N$168.
Namibia Chamber of Environment (NCE) CEO Chris Brown pointed out earlier this month that for a family of four, based on the new and now cancelled fishing fees, a month's fishing holiday would have cost N$6 000.
Brown added that the average wage in Namibia according to the Labour Force Survey from 2014 was N$6 626 per month, which “gives context to the thoughtlessness of the licence fee increase.”
On Friday, Esau confirmed that he decided to withdraw the controversial government gazette notice 158 and would order new round of consultations with stakeholders to determine suitable levies.
The minister told reporters that as a Namibian who grew up alongside the coast, he could relate to the myriad of concerns that were raised and the importance of a thriving angling community.
“We feel there were not sufficient consultations with the stakeholder and members of the angling community, and we need to go back to the drawing board on these fees and levies,” he said.
“In the meantime, the old regime will apply and extensive consultations must be held.”
Esau said he would personally ensure that before the next proposed fees and levies are announced, he will make sure the suggestions are scrutinised by a special advisory body before he will “say yes or no.”
Esau said he had especially taken note of concerns raised by communities who feared that the new fees would crush the recreational angling sector and tourism, as well as the impact on individuals whose livelihoods are based on the angling sector.
The minister said had heard the “outcry and concerns of the communities, who said the new levies would cause serious socio-economic harm” to towns like Henties Bay, a popular angling destination, not only locally but also internationally.
He said he was also worried of the impact of the new levies on “vulnerable people living along coastal towns, including pensioners, or those who visit the coast to fish for recreation.”
JANA-MARI SMITH
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