In a decisive move to promote responsible fishing and marine conservation, the Namibian government has introduced a comprehensive set of regulations targeting excessive bycatch in the country’s fisheries industry.
The announcement was made today by Minister of Information and Communication Technology, Emma Theofelus, following the outcomes of the 16th Cabinet meeting. The new policy framework mandates that all fishing operators maintain a strict bycatch limit of no more than 2%. Companies found exceeding this threshold will be subjected to severe financial penalties and required to surrender the excess catch to the authorities.
The Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources will spearhead the enforcement of these measures, which also include a significant hike in bycatch-related fees from the current 15% to an elevated 50%. Persistent non-compliance could result in harsher consequences, such as the suspension or cancellation of operating licenses, reductions in fishing quotas, or, in extreme cases, the confiscation of vessels.
To enhance transparency and encourage adherence to the rules, the government will also publish the names of companies that breach the new regulations.
These developments highlight Namibia’s ongoing efforts to ensure the long-term sustainability of its marine resources while holding stakeholders accountable for environmentally harmful practices.
