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 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.

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.

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.

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.