The Minister of Fisheries and Marine Resources, Derek Klazen, and scientists say the horse mackerel species is under severe threat.

The industry has been warned about unsustainable catches of horse mackerel stock.

A scientist in the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources, Graca D'Almeida, raised alarm at the annual industry address held at Walvis Bay.

Supported by Minister Derek Klazen, it was revealed that the size of horse mackerel has gotten smaller over the decades, while catches of the stock have become unsustainable.

A total of N$52.3 million was raised from the sale of 28,500 metric tons (MT) of horse mackerel under the Governmental Objective Fishing Quota.

The total was inclusive of N$11,000 raised from application fees for the total quota of 30,540 MT of horse mackerel bids held on March 31, 2023.

A media release issued by the Ministry of Finance on Thursday said the two ministries considered the horse mackerel auction a success, with a slight improvement in prices from the reserve price.

The Namibian Cabinet has endorsed the Total Allowable Catch (TAC) for deep-sea red crab and horse mackerel for the 2023 fishing season.

This was announced in a media statement issued after the 21st Cabinet decision-making meeting.

The statement said it was agreed that the TAC for deep-sea red crabs is set at 4,200 metric tons for the 2023 fishing season.

The Cabinet also agreed that the TAC for horse mackerel for the 2023 fishing season should be set at 290,000 metric tons.

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.

Pilchard and rock lobster are still in a poor state, while horse mackerel has declined.

The Minister of Fisheries and Marine Resources, Derek Klazen revealed this during his annual address at Walvis Bay.

Klazen says a scientific survey to assess the resources was carried out in March 2022.

As per the Fisheries and Marine Resources Ministry's custom, the minister delivers an annual address where the industry's performance is highlighted.

Klazen indicated that key marine resources are dwindling while a few other stocks are still healthy.