WINDHOEK, Jan. 14 — The Namibia Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform (MAFWLR) announced on Monday a 5 percent decrease in the Total Allowable Catch (TAC) of horse mackerel for the 2026 fishing season. The new limit is set at 197,000 metric tons, down from the 208,000 metric tons permitted in 2025. “The 5 percent decrease is a proactive and precautionary management decision, reflecting our commitment to responsive and science-based fishery management to ensure the stock’s long-term health,” the ministry said, highlighting that this has been endorsed by the Cabinet under the Marine Resources Act. The official clarification was issued in response to recent reports on Monday alleging that fishing quota reductions had been conducted in a secretive manner. The ministry also addressed concerns regarding quota violations, specifically over catching. “The Ministry confirms that all companies that exceeded their allocated quotas were duly deducted. These deductions are based on reconciled figures from the 2024 fishing season allocations,” they added. In a significant shift in how quotas are distributed, the ministry announced it will now align allocations with specific industry investments. While the government previously issued a mix of freezer and wet fish quotas to all rights holders, it will now allocate freezer quotas specifically to companies that have invested in freezer facilities. Namibia‘s fishing industry is a key economic contributor, as it boosts GDP, exports, value addition, and job creation.
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