N$4
namib times
SERVING THE COASTAL COMMUNITY SINCE 1958 NO 6991 FRIDAY 18 NOVEMBER 2022 Tel: +264 64 - 205854 / +264 64 - 461866 /Fax: +264 64 - 204813 / 064 - 461824 / Website: www.namibtimes.net
Erongo region provides opportunities Rudi Bowe
Governor of the Erongo region, Honourable Neville Andre, said the Erongo region, particularly Walvis Bay, provides us with several opportunities that we are exposed to. According to the governor, many people only see opportunities in having a fishing right but we need to be innovative to add value and be part of the value chain of our natural resource Namibia and Erongo region is rich in natural resources but we have more than 40% unemployment rate with 79% of the population are economically active and about 20% of the household in Erongo are
classified as poor. “We therefore need to be innovative and add value to our natural resources by diversifying our operation citizen must support locally produced product if we want to change our socio-economic status. Namibian companies must support each other by trading together if they want to maximize the benefit we can get from our natural resources,” Andre said. The governor expressed his gratitude to the Fishing Sector in the Erongo Region, for their response during the difficult days of Covid-19, in terms of adhering to the regulations, support to our Covid-19 response, through the provision of food parcels and other valuable equipment. He added that the sector has also been key in the
inside Sewer Abuse Continues To Be A Serious Problem
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Wesco Group Governor of the Erongo region Honourable Neville Andre Continues on page 2 has come Fishing companies Fisheries remain significant contributors of age
need to visibly contribute – CSR Rudi Bowe
Fisheries Minister, Derek Klazen said during his annual address to the fishing industry at Walvis Bay, during the 2021/2022 fishing season, fishing companies continue to contribute towards Corporate Social Responsibilities (CSR). Klazen emphasised that Corporate Social Responsibilities (CSR) is the way for fishing companies to visibly contribute to the societal structure of the communities to make a longlasting and meaning full impact in the lives of the beneficiaries. “The essence of CSR is for entities to build relationships with communities for the shared good and demonstrate their commitment by giving back to the people for being allowed by Government to exploit marine resources on behalf of the Namibian people.” According to the minister, most of the donations were directed toward educational programs, food donations, sports activities, the construction of classrooms, and Continues on page 2
Rudi Bowe
Fisheries remain one of the significant contributors to economic growth, employment creation, nutrition, and foreign exchange in Namibia. The sector accounted for over 14% of export earnings that were sourced from fish and fisheries products valued at N$10 billion and fisheries' contribution to Gross Domestic Product (GDP) was 4.5% (NSA, 2022). Fisheries minister, Derek Klazen stated during the period 2021/22, the total marine capture landing for various fisheries was 421,471 MT, translating into an increase of 19 % in catches as compared to the 2020/21 fishing season. The fishing industry faced a serious impact of
Fisheries minister Derek Klazen
COVID - 19 during the period of 2020/21 which negatively affected the volume of catches. The minister said that a worrying trend of overcatching has been observed within the fishing industry. “I wish to point out that over-catches should be discontinued at all costs as it erodes the principle of sustainability.” He warns those making themselves guilty of over catches that they will be visited with punitive force, including but not limited to deducting the over caught quota from successive quota allocations.The minister also alluded that like all other sectors, fishing sector also had its fair share of challenges, among the major challenges it is the cost of fuel which had fishing companies digging deeper into their pockets. “Fuel prices represent the second highest expenditure after salaries and wages for most companies in the industry.” Klazen explained that an increase in fuel prices increased fixed costs such as depreciation and salaries. “Another cost hike to consider is the transport cost of input to fish production as well as the fish end products to the markets. Consequently, the high production cost of fish is Continues on page 2
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Ankerplatz gets new image
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