DRAFT Management Plan for the Namibian Hake …

1 Republic of namibia Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources DRAFT Management plan for the Namibian Hake Fishery for the period May 2011 to April 2014 31 March 2011 DRAFT Management plan for the Namibian Hake Fishery Foreword The hake fishery is the most valuable fishery in namibia . It generates almost half of the final value of all Namibian fisheries. The fishery is the largest provider of employment in the fishing industry and generates a considerable amount of foreign currency. It is vital for namibia as a nation to manage this fishery properly. In particular we need to ensure the responsible and sustainable utilisation of the resource itself.

2 Without the hake, there will be no industry, no employment and no benefits to namibia . This Management plan brings together in one document all of the relevant policies for the hake fishery. It explains how we will manage the hake fishery during the next few years and identifies where we would like the fishery to be in the future. The plan out-lines the goals we have for this fishery, using Vision 2030 as its basis, and sets objec-tives and strategies for us to achieve these goals. The development of this Management plan represents a new beginning in our fisheries. Most of our policies were created when namibia was a new nation. When we had no local fishing industry to speak of.

3 At that time we needed to set in place a fisheries man-agement system that would create a Namibian fishing industry. An industry that would contribute significantly to the Namibian economy, both through income and employ-ment. An industry that would bring valuable foreign exchange into our country. This we have successfully done. We have put in place a Management system in Namibian fisher-ies that is praised by most outside observers, and the hake fishery is no exception. In spite of our success, the time has come to look carefully at our policies and review them. There is no doubt that the current policies have achieved many of the objectives that were set out in the beginning.

4 In fact, I am of the opinion that given the situation at Independence, these policies were excellent. However, 21 years have passed since our Independence. We are not the same country as back then. The hake industry is not the same industry as back then. We have developed. Therefore, the policies that have served us well in the past may not be the best policies for our future. The development of the Management plan for the hake fishery represents the first step in our assessment of our policies as they relate to the hake fishery. It will give us an over-view of the fishery, allowing us to identify gaps in our policies and areas that may need adjustment and improvement.

5 Once the plan is in place we will begin assessment of the policies. Are they in fact achieving what we want them to achieve? Once we have answered that question we will look for ways to improve our policies and our Management plan . This is a long term process. In fact it will never end as our environment constantly changes. _____ Honourable Bernard Esau Minister of Fisheries and Marine Resources DRAFT Management plan for the Namibian Hake Fishery Acknowledgements The preparation of this Management plan for the Namibian hake fishery was funded by the 9th cycle of the European Development Fund (EDF) Strengthening Fisheries Man-agement in ACP Countries (9 ACP RPR 12), known as ACP-Fish II, project CU/PE1/MZ/10/005.

6 The compilation of the plan was undertaken by Vilhj lmur Wiium and Dave Boyer on behalf of NFDS Africa. We would like to acknowledge the cooperation and interest from the namibia Hake As-sociation and other members of the fishing industry, and the many other stakeholders who participated in the workshops and consultative meetings. The Honourable Minister gave personal guidance which we appreciate greatly. Personnel of the Ministry of Fish-eries and Marine Resources provided valuable inputs, guidance and information to the consultants. In particular, our thanks go to Anna Erastus, Titus Iilende, Carola Kirchner and the Technical Team from the Ministry: Lucia Haufiku, Paul Kainge, John Kathena, Sam Goreseb and Victor Pea.

7 DRAFT Management plan for the Namibian Hake Fishery Table of contents Foreword .. i Acknowledgements .. ii List of tables .. v List of acronyms .. vi 1 Purpose .. 1 2 Current situation .. 2 Biology of hake .. 2 Distribution .. 2 Spawning .. 2 Diet and predation .. 2 Growth .. 3 Influence of the physical environment on hake .. 3 Stock 4 TACs and harvesting levels .. 5 The fishing industry .. 5 Holders of exploitation rights .. 5 Fishing fleet .. 6 Employment .. 6 Hake bycatch in other fisheries .. 7 Bycatch of other species in hake fishery .. 7 Processing and marketing .. 7 Current Management measures .. 7 3 Management goals and objectives.

8 9 Goal 1: Responsible and sustainable utilisation of the hake resource .. 11 Objective : Recovery of the hake stocks to the MSY level .. 11 Objective : Management measures based on best available scientific evidence .. 12 Objective : New assessment of the hake stocks .. 13 Objective : Sufficient institutional capacity, skills, equipment and funding .. 15 Goal 2: Minimal impact on the ecosystem .. 17 Objective : Maintain biodiversity and ecosystem functioning .. 17 Objective : Minimise bycatches including incidental mortality of non-commercial species .. 18 Objective : Mitigate habitat and substrate damage .. 19 Objective : Sufficient institutional capacity, skills, equipment and funding.

9 19 Goal 3: Stable business environment established conducive to the promotion of economic efficiency .. 20 Objective : The hake industry can respond effectively to external changes.. 20 Objective : Appropriate investments are undertaken by the industry.. 22 Objective : Promote increased level of value addition by hake fishing and processing companies. 24 Goal 4: Hake fishery benefits a large number of Namibians, directly and indirectly .. 25 Objective : Quota fees provide revenue to government .. 25 Objective : Hake industry provides sustainable and quality employment to 26 Objective : Increased Namibian ownership in the hake industry .. 26 Objective : Support to community initiatives encouraged.

10 27 Goal 5: Efficient, cost-effective and participatory Management of the hake fishery .. 28 Objective : MFMR provides the required Management services cost-effectively.. 28 Objective : Consultations with stakeholders and wider community.. 28 Objective : Industry contributes to research and compliance.. 29 Objective : Management measures are complied with.. 29 Summary of research and reviews .. 30 DRAFT Management plan for the Namibian Hake Fishery 4 Summary of Management measures .. 31 Total allowable catch .. 31 Limited entry into fishery .. 31 Quota system .. 31 Fees .. 31 Technical measures .. 31 Management capacity .. 32 5 Response of Management .