The Confederation of Namibian Fishing Associations (CNFA) has criticised the government for competing unfairly against right holders, who are obligated to create jobs and add value to the industry.

Its chairperson, Matti Amukwa, says the government, which is exempt from applying for fishing quotas, has become the largest quota holder without the obligations that are placed on other right holders.

Amukwa was represented by Tunacor's Peya Hitula at a recent breakfast meeting at Walvis Bay.

In his speech, he indicated that the fishing industry is puzzled about how governmental quotas are being handled.

According to the confederation, the purpose of the governmental objective quotas was for emergency outbreaks, but this is no longer the case.

"The government has become the largest quota holder without obligations on quotas that are placed on right holders, such as job creation and value addition. This situation is creating a parallel quota industry of vessel operators who are sustained by government quotas and hence no longer need to work with right holders since this new quota has no obligation. The industry is concerned that this approach, together with quota auctioning, will lead to investment uncertainty by bona fide right holders since the overall alocatable quota is decreased."

The industry further expressed concern about a lack of transparency and fairness in the way quotas are allocated.

"Some right holders are allocated an additional quota with no basis. Fisheries are one of the natural resources in Namibia that can be accessed through rights. We do not think that the other resources are being allocated through governmental objectives and without regard to current rights investors the way it is being done in fisheries."

The industry called on the Fisheries and Marine Resources Minister to implement the scorecard system, which is meant to award quotas based on performance.

The ministry has been developing the scorecard for more than seven years.

"Some statements you made here left a sour taste in my mouth, and I know if we could sit around the table and discuss these issues that were raised here today, they could have been discussed with me and my staff, and we could have given clarification on them, and I'm challenging the confederation here today. Come, let's have our talks. Let's not use this public platform to try to settle scores or put the minister in an awkward position. I mean, that's not fair," said Fisheries Minister, Derek Klazen.

The nbc News is still waiting for the minister to respond to questions sent to him regarding the concerns.