NGO fears losses after quota allocation
OGONE TLHAGE
WINDHOEK
A Lüderitz-based community trust, Eshisha Development and Reconciliation Organisation, fears financial losses over a small fishing quota allocation after it participated in the recent auction spearheaded by the finance ministry.
The non-governmental organisation paid N$75 000 in monies collected from its members and said the quota allocation and an insufficient fishing season could result in losses for its members.
The trust wrote to fisheries minister Albert Kawana, expressing its fears of possible collapse. In the letter, managing director Sakaria Kandenge explained that it was not a fishing company nor had it been involved in the fishing industry before.
“We have been trying to find a commercial operator in Namibia who would be able to assist with the catch and onward processing. We have attempted to contact smaller fishing companies as well as national entities such as those operating under the Fishcor agreement,” he wrote.
'Too small for business'
“Most of them are saying our quota allocation is too small for business and our catching period left is too short,” he added.
The fishing season for horse mackerel ends in December.
Kandenge also sought advice from Kawana about utilising the quota to its full potential.
“Since five tonnes is a small amount relative to the catches that you are most likely familiar with, I am hoping you might be able to assist or advise us in how we could honour this small quota before it expires end December,” Kandenge wrote.
Extension requested
“It would be very sad to see the community's money wasted and hopes disappointed,” he added.
To meet the trust in its efforts, Kandenge requested for a bigger quota allocation from Kawana, which he said would save Eshisha from making any losses.
He also requested an extension of the fishing season, or for the trust to be granted a quota in the next season.
WINDHOEK
A Lüderitz-based community trust, Eshisha Development and Reconciliation Organisation, fears financial losses over a small fishing quota allocation after it participated in the recent auction spearheaded by the finance ministry.
The non-governmental organisation paid N$75 000 in monies collected from its members and said the quota allocation and an insufficient fishing season could result in losses for its members.
The trust wrote to fisheries minister Albert Kawana, expressing its fears of possible collapse. In the letter, managing director Sakaria Kandenge explained that it was not a fishing company nor had it been involved in the fishing industry before.
“We have been trying to find a commercial operator in Namibia who would be able to assist with the catch and onward processing. We have attempted to contact smaller fishing companies as well as national entities such as those operating under the Fishcor agreement,” he wrote.
'Too small for business'
“Most of them are saying our quota allocation is too small for business and our catching period left is too short,” he added.
The fishing season for horse mackerel ends in December.
Kandenge also sought advice from Kawana about utilising the quota to its full potential.
“Since five tonnes is a small amount relative to the catches that you are most likely familiar with, I am hoping you might be able to assist or advise us in how we could honour this small quota before it expires end December,” Kandenge wrote.
Extension requested
“It would be very sad to see the community's money wasted and hopes disappointed,” he added.
To meet the trust in its efforts, Kandenge requested for a bigger quota allocation from Kawana, which he said would save Eshisha from making any losses.
He also requested an extension of the fishing season, or for the trust to be granted a quota in the next season.
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