A moratorium on the harvesting of pilchards remains in place for another year, as the fish species is still in an unhealthy state.

This was revealed by Fisheries and Marine Resources Minister Derek Klazen during a Cabinet briefing.

The imposed moratorium on the pilchard stock remains while the Ministry continues its research programme to monitor it closely and re-open fishing activities once the stock has recovered to a biologically sustainable level.

"Even if pilchards are caught as a bycatch, this doesn't automatically mean that pilchards have recovered. It's only through our scientific research that we can see what the sustainable yield is and the biomass. And if the biomass is not enough, we cannot open up and allow TAC for pilchards."

During the 2023 fishing season, the Fisheries Ministry, through a Cabinet decision, allocated a total allowable catch for six commercially exploited species, namely, hake, monkfish, horse mackerel, rock lobster, red crab, and seals.

Additionally, Klazen pronounced himself on the request by the Wet-Landed Horse Mackerel Association requesting to be granted permission to conduct fishing within the 200-metre isobars during the winter season, maintaining that trawling is not allowed within the 200-metre distance.

The 200-metre isobar restriction on trawling and long lining is one of the management and control measures enforced in the country to regulate fishing activities.

The matter, he says, is being discussed by Cabinet while experiments will soon take place.

The fishing industry is worth over N$20 billion and directly employs 18,000 people while contributing 4.5% to Namibia's GDP, which accounts for over 14% of export earnings.

These efforts have equally contributed to employment, value addition, investment, regional development, and corporate social responsibility for broader benefits for all Namibians.

The transformation of the fishing sector has seen at least 95% of fishing rights holders being Namibian.