The Confederation of Namibian Fishing Associations (CNFA) says the auctioning of the government quota is not in support of the Namibianization of the fishing industry.

Chairperson Matti Amukwa informed the Fisheries and Marine Resources Minister that auctioning off quotas is creating uncertainty in the industry and is not provided for in the Fisheries and Marine Resources Act.

Making the remarks at the Fisheries Ministers' annual industry address at Walvis Bay, Amukwa says auctioning of quotas is discouraging investment.

"It is a lottery where no one can predict how much fish they will win in the next season. As such, no one can invest long-term in such conditions. Further, auctions kill innovations in value addition because, once you win an auction, the government is limited in how many other conditions it can impose on such right holders, i.e., value addition, employment, and social responsibilities. If a quota is allocated to the right holder, you can put on conditions or even withdraw the quota, but if the quota is acquired at the auction, it becomes private property."

Amukwa added that the industry has sustained more than 16,000 jobs over the years because right holders could count on the annual allocation of fishing quotas.

"Industry therefore urgently needs policy coherence on this matter: are we still on a rights-based system and quota allocation, or have we moved to a quota auction system? We cannot have both; hence, the government needs to provide guidance on this matter."

Amukwa further informed the minister that the industry is concerned about non-right holders who are allocated fishing quotas under the guise of a governmental objectives quota.

"All the issues he mentioned here are not new to me; he mentioned them to me also. I believe those issues we can address around the table and discuss, and if there is a need to change acts or policies, those things are not cast in stone, and as a ministry, we are willing to listen and consult. That's why it would be very unfair for me to address those issues and answer them here and there."