Jobless anglers should register

The Hanganeni Artisanal Fishing Association (HAFA) at Henties Bay has invited unemployed youth and pensioners to join the association.The director of the association and mayor of Henties Bay, Herman Honeb said such membership would allow them to fish without having to pay the fishing levies charged by the fisheries ministry.Anglers pay N$14 a month for recreational fishing permits, which was increased to N$1 500 a month in July last year. This decision was however reversed pending public consultation.Registration is N$5, after which HAFA members are expected to pay a monthly fee of N$10. Honeb said the ministry has given the association the right to register all interested small-scale anglers across Namibia this year.He said this means unemployed youth, women and pensioners can make a living by catching fish and selling it to the association.“I encourage everyone from Lüderitz, Walvis Bay, Terrace Bay and Swakopmund to register and take advantage of this opportunity,” he said.The idea is to encourage anglers outside Henties Bay to organise themselves into a mini association under HAFA, after which a HAFA branch could be opened in their area where they can sell their catch.Asked if HAFA is not concerned about overfishing, Honeb said the anglers usually do not catch large quantities of fish. If it should happen that overfishing becomes a problem, measures will be taken to protect the stock, he added.There are currently 100 anglers registered with HAFA, but only 15 to 30 are active daily.The association was established by the Ministry of Fisheries and partners to develop and support traditional fishing in Namibia for the benefit of Henties Bay's disadvantaged inhabitants. They are also expected to work towards the establishment of future facilities complementary to fishing and ecotourism activities. NAMPA

Jobless anglers should register

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Namibian Sun 2025-10-15

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Jobless anglers should register

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Namibian Sun 2025-10-15

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