Fishing rights worrisome
Fisheries minister Bernhardt Esau allayed concerns by the industry over the delay and allocation of fishing rights.
The chairperson of the Confederation of Namibian Fishing Associations (CNFA), Matti Amukwa, says many companies which invested substantial amounts into vessels and production facilities, and employ thousands of workers, do not know if their application for new fishing rights will be successful.
He was speaking during the annual address by fisheries minister Bernhardt Esau to the fishing industry in Walvis Bay on Friday.
“This situation generates uncertainty which is very counterproductive for the smooth running of one of the most relevant industries in our country. The slow allocation of quotas experienced over the current and previous quota years, is a matter of general concern and is making it difficult to plan adequately for the year. It also has cost implications for the operators.”
Amukwa added that they understand and support the ambitious exercise undertaken by the ministry to review all rights. He recommended that the process should be given the necessary time for conclusion and implementation without withholding large amounts of quotas from the operators.
He also emphasised that the ministry should ensure that the rights and quota allocation processes would not lead to disruptions in operations which generate significant losses, particularly to land-based value addition facilities.
“Past experience showed the general public will respond with vigour and the ministry can expect a large amount of applications which will take a lot of time to evaluate.”
According to Amukwa, “It must be noted that the decisions taken by the authorities within the next few months will chart the course for the next 20 years and wise council should prevail. Many changes have been announced and transparency must be observed in the implementation of those changes.”
He also cautioned that should allocated quotas be used only to withdraw funds without ploughing back, it would result in Namibians losing ownership of the industry.
Esau then addressed issues related to new fishing rights applications
He undertook to invite all interested Namibians, including those whose rights have terminated, to apply for new fishing rights during the course of the year.
“I wish to correct the impression that once a person is given a fishing right, it is automatically valid for 20 years. This is not true. The 20-year period is the maximum possible duration for a right. The validity of each right, such as seven, 10, 15 or 20 years, is clearly indicated in the letter of offer, which does not promise extension.”
Esau explained that should rights holders be found to have changed the conditions of their rights without authorisation by him, or do not meet the conditions given during its award, could forfeit their rights and may not be granted an extension.
“It is therefore not true that all right holders are entitled to a period of 20 years, because extension is subject to fulfilment of set conditions. Those who complied will have an advantage. Economic inclusivity will however be a key component in the allocation of new rights.”
The minister assured members of the public, including all those whose rights expired or are expiring this year that the process of evaluating new rights holders will be done transparently, in a timely manner and in accordance with the law.
He emphasised that there was therefore no cause for alarm on this matter and said that economic inclusivity will be a key consideration in the application for new rights in 2018.
“As has already been demonstrated in the case of rights that expired in 2017, the ministry is determined to manage this process in a way that protects Namibian jobs and investments in the fisheries sector for all rights that expire in 2018 and 2019.”
Esau further emphasised that the owners of expired, or expiring fishing rights are legally allowed to apply, alongside other Namibians, for new fishing rights once a public call is made. The evaluation of all applications will be based on provisions and in accordance of the Act.
“Expired, or expiring right holders who have invested and complied with other conditions as per the law would be more competitive than those who have not done so.”
Esau said by 31 December last year, there were 32 fishing rights which had attained 20 years and added that by the 31 December this year, there will be a further 75 fishing rights which will have reached 20 years.
“I have communicated to all affected rights holders that these rights have now been terminated, having attained the maximum 20-year period. I cannot go beyond and renew such a right beyond this period. The law prevents me from doing so.”
The expiring rights are spread across all the sub-sectors of Namibia's marine fisheries.
“Jobs were created and need to be sustained. The fisheries sector comprises of several levels in the value chain, beginning with fishing, where fishing rights are exercised, processing, logistics, supplies and many other economic activities. Many of the large investors in this sector are in fact operators, processors, suppliers and logistics companies who do not have fishing rights. We value these investors a lot. They are important for the success of this sector and government will continue to promote their businesses.”
OTIS FINCK
He was speaking during the annual address by fisheries minister Bernhardt Esau to the fishing industry in Walvis Bay on Friday.
“This situation generates uncertainty which is very counterproductive for the smooth running of one of the most relevant industries in our country. The slow allocation of quotas experienced over the current and previous quota years, is a matter of general concern and is making it difficult to plan adequately for the year. It also has cost implications for the operators.”
Amukwa added that they understand and support the ambitious exercise undertaken by the ministry to review all rights. He recommended that the process should be given the necessary time for conclusion and implementation without withholding large amounts of quotas from the operators.
He also emphasised that the ministry should ensure that the rights and quota allocation processes would not lead to disruptions in operations which generate significant losses, particularly to land-based value addition facilities.
“Past experience showed the general public will respond with vigour and the ministry can expect a large amount of applications which will take a lot of time to evaluate.”
According to Amukwa, “It must be noted that the decisions taken by the authorities within the next few months will chart the course for the next 20 years and wise council should prevail. Many changes have been announced and transparency must be observed in the implementation of those changes.”
He also cautioned that should allocated quotas be used only to withdraw funds without ploughing back, it would result in Namibians losing ownership of the industry.
Esau then addressed issues related to new fishing rights applications
He undertook to invite all interested Namibians, including those whose rights have terminated, to apply for new fishing rights during the course of the year.
“I wish to correct the impression that once a person is given a fishing right, it is automatically valid for 20 years. This is not true. The 20-year period is the maximum possible duration for a right. The validity of each right, such as seven, 10, 15 or 20 years, is clearly indicated in the letter of offer, which does not promise extension.”
Esau explained that should rights holders be found to have changed the conditions of their rights without authorisation by him, or do not meet the conditions given during its award, could forfeit their rights and may not be granted an extension.
“It is therefore not true that all right holders are entitled to a period of 20 years, because extension is subject to fulfilment of set conditions. Those who complied will have an advantage. Economic inclusivity will however be a key component in the allocation of new rights.”
The minister assured members of the public, including all those whose rights expired or are expiring this year that the process of evaluating new rights holders will be done transparently, in a timely manner and in accordance with the law.
He emphasised that there was therefore no cause for alarm on this matter and said that economic inclusivity will be a key consideration in the application for new rights in 2018.
“As has already been demonstrated in the case of rights that expired in 2017, the ministry is determined to manage this process in a way that protects Namibian jobs and investments in the fisheries sector for all rights that expire in 2018 and 2019.”
Esau further emphasised that the owners of expired, or expiring fishing rights are legally allowed to apply, alongside other Namibians, for new fishing rights once a public call is made. The evaluation of all applications will be based on provisions and in accordance of the Act.
“Expired, or expiring right holders who have invested and complied with other conditions as per the law would be more competitive than those who have not done so.”
Esau said by 31 December last year, there were 32 fishing rights which had attained 20 years and added that by the 31 December this year, there will be a further 75 fishing rights which will have reached 20 years.
“I have communicated to all affected rights holders that these rights have now been terminated, having attained the maximum 20-year period. I cannot go beyond and renew such a right beyond this period. The law prevents me from doing so.”
The expiring rights are spread across all the sub-sectors of Namibia's marine fisheries.
“Jobs were created and need to be sustained. The fisheries sector comprises of several levels in the value chain, beginning with fishing, where fishing rights are exercised, processing, logistics, supplies and many other economic activities. Many of the large investors in this sector are in fact operators, processors, suppliers and logistics companies who do not have fishing rights. We value these investors a lot. They are important for the success of this sector and government will continue to promote their businesses.”
OTIS FINCK
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