Controversial Fisheries Quota Auction in Namibia Concludes
"Namibia Concludes Recent Fishery Quota Auction, Selling Over 25,000 Metric Tons of Horse Mackerel Amid Transparency and Sustainability Concerns.
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"Namibia Concludes Government-Controlled Horse Mackerel Quota Auction Amid Criticism and Calls for Transparency in Quota Allocation Process."
The recent auction of horse mackerel quota, organized by the Namibian Ministry of Finance and Public Enterprises in collaboration with the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources, aimed to contribute to the country’s fiscal budget, which reached NAD 74.7 billion (USD 3.8 billion, EUR 3.5 billion) for the 2023-2024 fiscal year.
This year's auction saw a reduction in volume by 14% compared to 2023, with over 25,000 metric tons of horse mackerel offered for sale, resulting in 28,500 metric tons being sold for NAD 52.3 million (USD 2.8 million, EUR 2.6 million).
While no announcement date has been set for the successful bidders of 2024, Namibia's fish quota auction system faces scrutiny from industry stakeholders, particularly the Namibian Confederation of Fishing Associations. Concerns have been raised regarding the government's frequent use of the auction system, deviating from its intended purpose of emergency utilization during crises like the Covid-19 pandemic.
Matti Amukwa, Chairman of the Confederation, criticized the lack of predictability for companies, describing the auction as a "lottery" where fish allocation remains uncertain for the upcoming seasons. He stressed the need for Namibia to adopt a coherent policy either favoring a fishing rights-based system or quota auction system.
Efforts to enhance transparency in quota allocation include the development of a scorecard system since 2015, aiming to reward companies based on criteria such as value addition and job creation. Despite delays in finalizing the scorecard, Executive Director of Fisheries and Marine Resources, Annely Haiphene, assures determination to complete the process within the fiscal year. The ministry plans to engage the fishing industry in discussions to ensure the finalization of the scorecard aligns with industry needs and objectives.
Exact timelines for industry consultation and the release of the scorecard remain undisclosed at this stage.