The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform (MAFWLR) is stepping up measures to prevent corruption in Namibia's fisheries sector and advocating for tight controls and transparency.
The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) says secrecy and lack of transparency in the fisheries sector have made corruption harder to detect.
It is now calling for greater disclosure of fishing rights, quotas and licence holders.
The Wet Landed Small Pelagic Association has defended a Cabinet decision to relax restrictions in parts of the 200-metre fishing zone, saying the move protects jobs and grows onshore fish processing.
Workers in the fishing industry are calling for urgent government intervention over what they call worsening working conditions and job insecurity.
The protesting workers handed over a petition to Erongo Governor Natalia |Goagoses.
A group of 300 fishermen from the Erongo Region travelled to seek answers to their petition from the Minister of Fisheries, Inge Zaamwani, but they refused to accept the response and instead demanded a roundtable audience.
Workers at Etosha Fishing took to the streets of Walvis Bay demanding sustainable fishing quotas from the government.
The employees argue that the current horse mackerel quotas for the company are not enough to keep them employed for the whole year.
The police have arrested two more suspects in a N$29.9 million fraud from a fishing company at Walvis Bay.
The latest arrest brings the total number of suspects to six.
Victoria George (34), who is self-employed, is believed to be the mastermind of the alleged fraud and money laundering case.
Walvis Bay Mayor Trevino Forbes says it is surprising that the municipality does not receive fishing quotas to help residents and develop the town.
The Executive Director of Fisheries and Marine Resources Annely Haiphene says the ministry has prioritised the finalisation of the long-awaited scorecard system in the current financial year.
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.
