There is still disagreement over the restriction of fishing activities in the 200-meter zone between unions, the wet-landed horse mackerel sector, and the Confederation of Namibian Fishing Associations.

Fisheries and Marine Resources Minister Derek Klazen says his ministry has not yet decided whether to allow the horse mackerel sector to operate in the restricted zone or not.

The opposing views were presented at the fisheries minister's annual address at Walvis Bay.

The leader of the Namibia Fishing Industries and Fishermen Workers Union, Daniel Imbili, bemoaned the restriction, which is contained in the 1997 horse mackerel rights document.

"Now for the scientists and people, and even to those who investigate this, what recommendation do they have? What have they put in place because we have employees who are laid off, some of whom are paid 50% of their salaries, and people cannot pay their accommodation? I want to know what the way forward is."

Earlier this year, the horse mackerel sector requested that the Cabinet allow companies to catch in the forbidden zone, as there is allegedly no research to prove there are threats.

The Confederation of Namibian Fishing Associations has disputed this claim, saying three commercial fish species breed in the restricted zone.

"Allowing access to the area inside the contour line will set precedent and bring forward other sectors that may want to endanger the biomass, not only of horse mackerel but also of the other two main commercial species found in Namibian water. The position of the Confederation of Namibian Fishing Association remains that no fishing should take place within the 200-meter contour line," added Matti Amukwa. 

"We are still consulting on that one because it is a serious matter. We in the ministry do not want to see job losses; I mentioned a lot of jobs, and we do not want to see job losses, so we are engaging on that matter specifically; everyone needs to be consulted on this. But, in the meantime, I'm interacting with the groups to see if there are any mitigating circumstances," minister Klazen assured.

The Wet Landed Horse Mackerel Association warned in September that 1300 jobs are at risk because it is a struggle to land horse mackerel.