Ministry Justifies Award of Pilchard Quota to Eco Fish Farms

The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform has defended its decision to grant Eco Fish Farms the right to harvest 10,000 metric tonnes of pilchard under a Governmental Objectives Quota, citing the need to safeguard national food security and sustain jobs at the country's last functional cannery. The move comes after all pilchard fishing rights expired between 2019 and 2020, leaving no valid rights-holders for the species. Industry players had questioned the transparency of the process, given Namibia's history with the Fishrot scandal.

Key Takeaways:

• The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform awarded Eco Fish Farms a quota of 10,000 metric tonnes of pilchard to contribute to food security and sustain employment at the Etosha Fishing Corporation cannery.
• The decision was made on a precautionary basis due to the expiration of all pilchard fishing rights between 2019 and 2020, leaving no valid rights-holders for the species.
• Eco Fish Farms was selected from the applicants due to its meeting of Cabinet-approved criteria, including Namibian ownership, vessel access, and readiness to begin harvesting immediately.
• Despite Etosha Fishing Corporation being partly foreign-owned, Eco Fish Farms is 100% Namibian-owned and holds a shareholding relationship in the cannery.
• The government has taken an approach of small-scale preventative quotas allowed under strict conditions to allow stocks to recover after severe depletion.
• The primary objective of the quota is to contribute to food security, sustain employment, and generate revenue through levies, fees, and taxes.

Statistics:

• 10,000 metric tonnes: The quota awarded to Eco Fish Farms for pilchard harvesting.
• 44.8%: The percentage of Etosha Fishing Corporation held by South Africa's Oceana Group.
• 100%: The percentage of Eco Fish Farms ownership by Namibian nationals.
• 2019-2020: The period during which all pilchard fishing rights expired, leaving no valid rights-holders.

Sources:

• "The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform has justified its decision to award Eco Fish Farms the right to harvest 10,000 metric tonnes of pilchard under a Governmental Objectives Quota."
• "The decision was justified as aimed at safeguarding national food security and sustaining jobs at the country's last functional cannery."
• "Eco Fish Farms was selected because it met all Cabinet-approved criteria, including Namibian ownership, vessel access, and readiness to begin harvesting immediately."
• "The Marine Resources Act of 2000"