Seafood processing facility to bring more value
The minister of fisheries and marine resources, Bernard Esau, officiated at the groundbreaking for a N$300 million seafood processing plant in Walvis Bay on Monday.
Otis Finck - Construction of the Hangana Seafood processing facility, which started in September 2018, is expected to be completed by September 2020.
It will be able to process 25 000 tonnes of seafood per year, and will have a cold-storage capacity of 2 500 tonnes to build up stock during high-performance seasons.
The company will also be able to buy stock for reprocessing and value-adding.
The minister of fisheries and marine resources, Bernhard Esau, welcomed the development, saying it would increase fish-handling, storage and processing flexibility.
“This investment is in line with Namibia’s development goals of industrialisation, value-adding and job creation contained in NDP5.
“I take note that this recent investment is in addition to Hangana Seafood’s current asset portfolio of approximately N$389 million, and an additional N$40 million investment in the Hangana Abalone Farm at Lüderitz made in 2018.”
Gap
The minister pointed out that there was still a significant value-adding gap to bridge.
He emphasised that the government was keen to ensure that at least 340 000 tonnes of the total 550 000-tonne catch is processed onshore and exported as high-value finished products by 2020.
“This target includes 70% of hake value-adding, as is currently the case, and a new target of 70% value-adding in the horse mackerel fishery.
“This value-adding objective will provide higher returns and create much-needed jobs. At the moment value is added locally to approximately 120 000 metric tonnes, which includes 70% of hake landings and less than 10% of horse mackerel.”
Jobs
Esau called on the fishing industry to ensure that investments are accompanied by proportionate job creation.
“We are now preparing to gazette the scorecard on allocation of fishing quotas, which includes a measure of number of jobs created per metric tonnes of fishing quotas allocated.
“We want to see economic inclusivity in the fishing sector and ensure there is equitable distribution of fisheries wealth. This includes equity participation and payment of living wages to workers who are the primary economic drivers in the fishing industry.”
Hangana managing director Herman Theron said the new facility would be a catalyst for creating new products and adding value.
“We have a strong local and global footprint. Once the facility becomes operational we will be able to extract more value. Quality and efficiency levels will be improved considerably in line with international standards and the scorecard.
“It will also provide opportunity for new right holders to participate in land-based operations and enhance storage capacity for other players in the industry.”
It will be able to process 25 000 tonnes of seafood per year, and will have a cold-storage capacity of 2 500 tonnes to build up stock during high-performance seasons.
The company will also be able to buy stock for reprocessing and value-adding.
The minister of fisheries and marine resources, Bernhard Esau, welcomed the development, saying it would increase fish-handling, storage and processing flexibility.
“This investment is in line with Namibia’s development goals of industrialisation, value-adding and job creation contained in NDP5.
“I take note that this recent investment is in addition to Hangana Seafood’s current asset portfolio of approximately N$389 million, and an additional N$40 million investment in the Hangana Abalone Farm at Lüderitz made in 2018.”
Gap
The minister pointed out that there was still a significant value-adding gap to bridge.
He emphasised that the government was keen to ensure that at least 340 000 tonnes of the total 550 000-tonne catch is processed onshore and exported as high-value finished products by 2020.
“This target includes 70% of hake value-adding, as is currently the case, and a new target of 70% value-adding in the horse mackerel fishery.
“This value-adding objective will provide higher returns and create much-needed jobs. At the moment value is added locally to approximately 120 000 metric tonnes, which includes 70% of hake landings and less than 10% of horse mackerel.”
Jobs
Esau called on the fishing industry to ensure that investments are accompanied by proportionate job creation.
“We are now preparing to gazette the scorecard on allocation of fishing quotas, which includes a measure of number of jobs created per metric tonnes of fishing quotas allocated.
“We want to see economic inclusivity in the fishing sector and ensure there is equitable distribution of fisheries wealth. This includes equity participation and payment of living wages to workers who are the primary economic drivers in the fishing industry.”
Hangana managing director Herman Theron said the new facility would be a catalyst for creating new products and adding value.
“We have a strong local and global footprint. Once the facility becomes operational we will be able to extract more value. Quality and efficiency levels will be improved considerably in line with international standards and the scorecard.
“It will also provide opportunity for new right holders to participate in land-based operations and enhance storage capacity for other players in the industry.”
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