WALVIS BAY – Pilchards worth over N$23 million were landed by six midwater trawlers in single trips they took between April and June this year. This is despite a moratorium on pilchard fishing in place since 2018.

The catches constitute over 1.4 million kilogrammes of sardines landed, reigniting tensions between the freezer trawler fleet and wet-landed pelagic operators.

Pilchards fetch up to N$16 per kilogramme (kg) in South Africa, depending on quality. 

The same pilchards are canned and often end up back on Namibian shelves, insiders told New Era.

Records

Landing sheets seen by New Era show that Tutungeni landed 235 780kg worth N$3.7 million in five days this month.

Jupiter brought in 243 102kg worth N$3.8 million over 18 days. 

Mediva Star followed with 184 980kg, valued at N$3 million in 13 days. 

Komesho topped the list with 769 160kg worth N$12.3 million in 33 days. 

Cavema Star landed 2 840kg (N$45 440) and Katanga 80kg (N$1 280).

Concerns over the legitimacy of these landings were raised in a fisheries ministry report tabled in December by the acting director of policy, planning and economics Ndesheetelwa Shitenga.

“Regulations permit only 5% of a vessel’s catch to consist of bycatch, but the increased volumes suggest high-value species like pilchards are being targeted under the guise of bycatch,” Shitenga warned in her report.

By-catches

The same report showed bycatch in the horse mackerel sector reached 37 434 metric tonnes in 2024, including 16 007 tonnes of mackerel, 12 833 tonnes of hake and 12 610 tonnes of pilchards.

This is nearly double the 6 504 tonnes reported in 2023.

Among the highest recorded bycatch was Komesho with 7 054 tonnes, Katanga with 1 216 tonnes, Tutungeni with 1 193 tonnes, Carapau 1 with 711 tonnes and Mediva Star with 682 tonnes – all while the pilchard ban remains in force.

However, the Horse Mackerel Association of Namibia dismissed the allegations. 

Its chairperson Johanna Shiweda described the claims as unfounded and harmful to the industry.

“There is absolutely no incentive for our members to target pilchards. These species hold no commercial value for our operations. Bycatch adds costs due to storage, levies and mandatory reporting,” she said.

She added that midwater vessels operate with onboard observers, who monitor fishing activities in real-time.

“Suggesting operators can bypass the law with constant oversight is misleading. We are committed to working with the ministry and independent scientists to reduce bycatch and ensure sustainable practices,” Shiweda stressed.

Reaction

The Wet Landed Small Pelagic Association, however, maintains the midwater fleet is deliberately targeting pilchards, undermining stock recovery.

Chairperson Johny Doeseb said the scale and frequency of the landings indicate deliberate harvesting rather than incidental bycatch.

“These are not isolated incidents. We’re talking about N$23 million worth of a species under moratorium. That’s not bycatch – it’s illegal and deliberate,” he said.

Observer reports, social media footage and internal data clearly show that protected species are being landed in excess. 

This threatens food security, jobs and marine sustainability.

Doeseb criticised the midwater fleet’s dominance over the horse mackerel quota.

“These vessels process everything at sea, land nothing onshore and leave onshore value chains struggling. Thousands of Namibians remain jobless because of this,” he charged.

He called for stronger enforcement and accountability.

“We need real action. This is bigger than sector politics – it’s about our fisheries, economy and people,” Doeseb remarked.

He said the association is ready to work with government to safeguard Namibia’s blue economy.

Tunacor managing director Peya Hitula told New Era on Sunday that all midwater vessels catch pilchard as bycatch due to horse mackerel moving within the 200m isobath.

“The seals seem to be pushing the pilchards to the outside of the 200m isobath. All the fish caught is kept on board and processed as the ministry requires.

Fisheries Observers Agency CEO Stanley Ndara clarified the role of observers.

“Our duty is to collect data on harvesting, handling and processing of marine resources and gather samples. Observers report any violations to the ministry, which holds the legal authority to act,” he said.

“All incidents mentioned have been reported and documented. It is important to communicate this to the public and media to avoid unfairly blaming observers, who have no enforcement powers,” Ndara added.

– edeklerk@nepc.com.na