Namibian Constitution

The sustainable utilization of the Namibian hake resource

The post-independence objectives of the Namibian government were formulated as follows (MFMR 1991, pg 42)

The government’s main objective for the fisheries sector is to utilize the country’s fisheries resources on a sustainable basis and to develop industries based on them in a way that ensures their lasting contribution to the country’s economy and overall development objectives.....The government is committed to rebuilding depleted fishery stocks to their level of full potential....All stocks will otherwise be exploited on a sustainable basis and at moderate levels, in general below that estimated to give maximum sustainable yields.

Two different hake species are found in Namibian waters, the deepwater (Merluccius paradoxus) and (Merluccius capensis) shallow water hake also referred to as black and white hake respectively. These species are very similar and therefore are difficult to separate in commercial catches. Hake is the second most abundant commercial resource in Namibia. Before Namibia’s Independence in 1990, the resource was heavily exploited by foreign nations (Figure 1).  Since then, catches have been reduced, the fleet has almost entirely been Namibianized and is under constant surveillance by the Namibian government. The hake fleet only off-loads at two ports, Walvisbay and Lüderitz, and therefore landings are tightly controlled.  A 100% observer presence is expected on all vessels, which ensures that no dumping (high-grading) of fish occurs.

Figure 1: Catches (landings) and the total allowable catch (TAC) for Namibian hake from 1964-2010.

(Source: Kirchner et al. 2011)

Research

Both, fisheries dependent and independent data are collected to assess the state of the resource on an annual basis. During January and February of each year a swept-area research survey is undertaken along the Namibian coast by using an industry vessel. During this survey the relative abundance of both hake species is determined from the trawl information. Biological data;   length, weight, gender ratio’s and reproductive proportions are also been collected from each trawl.

Further information is obtained from the individual fishing vessels. Each trawl done by the fishery is being logged with positional and catch information, which is compulsory. This data is then used to investigate the catch-per-unit effort in space and time. Also, the catches recorded are split between the two hake species in their length distributions. This data is collected by the observers on board.

All the collected data is then collated to be used as input for an age-structured production model. This statistical assessment method has been internationally reviewed and provides for the advice on the total allowable catch (TAC) by considering the following:

a) Maximize average annual catch

b) Minimize annual catch variation

c) Recovery in spawning biomass to at least the MSY level

d) Acceptable risk

The recommendation process

Section 15 of Namibia’s Sea Fisheries Act (MFMR, 1992) provides for the Minister to determine total allowable catches (TAC’s) after consultation with the Marine Resources Advisory Council (formerly Sea Fishery Advisory Council). In practice, the procedure (recommendation process) followed has been:

a) The government scientists responsible for providing scientific advice on hake prepare recommendations for the annual hake TAC and related issues, and these are discussed internally with all other government scientists (this follows the working group meetings in 1.).

b) The recommendations are discussed with the Minister and the Ministry of Fisheries senior research management officials; at this stage recommendations developed in previous steps may be changed.

c) The recommendations are then put to the Marine Resources Advisory Council, which formulates its own recommendations for the Minister by taking account also of socio-economic considerations.

d) The Minister makes recommendations to Cabinet, taking into account the recommendations of the scientists, the Council and any other relevant factors.

Management recommendations

The following management measures are used to ensure the sustainable utilization of the hake resource:

a)Total allowable catches (TAC)

• b) Mesh size of 110m. (Sorting grids no longer compulsory)
• c) No hake fishing for wet, freezer and longline vessels within the 200m waterdepth range along the whole Namibian coast
• d) No fishing for wet and freezer vessels within the 300m waterdepth range from 25°S to orange river
• e) No fishing for freezer vessels within the 350m waterdepth range from 25°S to orange river
• f) The month of October is closed to all hake fishing