Employees of Princess Brand Processors and Gendev at Walvis Bay have petitioned the Confederation of Namibian Fishing Associations.

The group is demanding a larger quota allocation from the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources to allow the companies to catch within the 200 meter restricted zone.

Princess Brand Processors and Gendev employees are not happy about their horse mackerel quota allocation.

They say since their quotas were reduced, their salaries were slashed in half because they only work about three days a week.

The group believes the two companies should be allowed to catch fish in the 200 metre zone, which is a restricted area - as they claim the fish is hard to land elsewhere.

Gendev Shopsteward, Aina Nampweya said there are times the Gendev vessels are sent out only to return without catching anything, resulting in missed trips with high fuel expenses."

The Confederation of Namibian Fishing Associations two weeks ago called on the ministry not to allow fishing activities to take place in the restricted zone.

Chairperson Matti Amukwa argued that the zone is a breeding ground for three commercial species.

Amukwa further did not accept the petition because the confederation cannot represent Princess Brand Processors and Gendev, neither company being a member.

"It is even two companies requesting this, only two companies and how many people do these two companies employ? The scenario of allowing somebody to go and catch there is like you are sending a murderer to a maternity ward to kill whatever is there. Is that the right thing to do?"

The workers proceeded to the offices of the Fisheries as well as Labour ministries, delivering copies of their petition.

The President of the Namibia Fishing Industries & Fishermen Workers Union said if these ministries play their part, there will be no unhappiness among the workers. The fishing industries are run on a mafia-based style and if there is no ministry taking care of that, the leaders of tomorrow end up in the street. Minister, please investigate, there are irregularities taking place in the fishing industry, things that are done against the workers, things that are done to minimize the work." 

The petitions were accepted by representatives of the two ministries who promised to forward them to the relevant authorities.