Windhoek
There is need for rehabilitation amongst many Namibians involved in the fishing sector to move from the get rich quick approach to developing a culture of involvement in the operations of the lucrative industry. This is the view of National Fish Corporation of Namibia’s (Fishcor) acting chief executive officer Mike Nghipunya.
Speaking to New Era earlier this week on a range of issues within the sector, Nghipunya said he was not impressed by the lack of involvement in the day-to-day operations of fishing right holders, despite government’s efforts to empower locals.
“You find some right holders who just get quotas and outsource them to get the usage fee and claim they are businessmen – yet they do not want to be involved in the daily operations to educate themselves. People really need to change their attitudes,” he said.
Although he agrees access to finance hampers many upcoming fishing right holders from actively participating in the sector, he urged right holders to develop a culture of patience instead of expecting instant wealth.
Nghipunya, an economist at the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources, also proposed the establishment of a marine fisheries development fund to assist new entrants.
“From my own perspective, sometimes we complain more than what we do forgetting that we should also bring our part,” he said.
He also lamented the lack of collaboration among fishing companies.
“We need to clean our house because the biggest challenge is the lack of collaboration and infighting among right holders. Some cannot even sit at the same table to negotiate because they always reach a deadlock when it comes to negotiating payments,” he said.
Nghipunya said Seaflower stands ready to assist entrants in the fishing industry. “We are ready to work with others and at the same time help new entrants such as those that do not have vessels or processing facilities,” he said.
Despite the ministry’s quest to empower locals, Nghipunya said the efforts are in vain if the beneficiaries do not attempt to become knowledgeable in fishing operations.
“Our beneficiaries cannot become knowledgeable if they are not part of the daily operations to understand the nitty-gritties of the industry – it will even help them when it comes to making decisions at board level,” advised Nghipunya.
“The trend of being in the industry for the sake of payouts must stop otherwise we will continue crying that the existing players do not want to assist the newcomers.”