Esau wants Namibian fish brand
Dear Dlisters,
Below please find an article taken from the Namibia daily newspaper (http://www.namibian.com.na/news/full-story/archive/2012/february/article...), and thought it might interest you.
09.02.2012
Esau wants Namibian fish brand
By: NICO SMIT
THE Ministry of Fisheries will concentrate on the development of aquaculture, as well as facilitate the participation of new fishing rights holders in all aspects of fishing in 2012.
Speaking at his annual address to staff in Windhoek on Wednesday, Fisheries Minister Bernard Esau said facilitating the participation and ownership of new entrants in all aspects of the fisheries sector, including catching, processing and marketing, is a major priority for his ministry this year.
Esau added that he wants to see the development of a Namibian fish brand this year.
Esau also singled out the promotion and development of fish farming as a major priority for the Fisheries Ministry in 2012, adding that he believes aquaculture to be vital in addressing challenges such as unemployment and food security.
Last year the Fisheries Ministry signed an agreement with Stellenbosch-based firm Aquastel for the development of an aquaculture master plan, which is intended to drive the development of the aquaculture initiative in Namibia.
On Wednesday Esau said the development of the master plan has “reached advanced stages” and that his ministry would soon host a validation workshop on the master plan.
Esau also said that his ministry is planning a fisheries conference for the first half of the year. The minister did not want to say much about the conference, but said that all industry stakeholders would be invited and that the conference would be held in the context of the challenges faced in the fisheries sector.
Esau called on staff to show innovation in their work and called on them to show commitment at all times. “Apply professionalism in your work,” Esau said.
He further them to be punctual at all times and asked them to use the time they spend in the office for work. “Create a work environment that permits service delivery.”
When asked about the campaigning of an international animals rights group against Namibia’s annual seal cull, Esau said Namibia does not cull seals but “harvests” them.
“Namibia will continue to harvest seals. Yes, they [animal rights groups] are campaigning [against us], but we have strategies for this,” Esau said, adding that the Namibian Government remains open to consultation with such groups.
Mr Esau's ministry plans
Mr Esau's ministry plans towards the fishery industry for the year 2012 will be successful, if the plans will be implemented well.It will help the Namibians at large. As mentioned in his statement, all the industry stakeholders will be invited. Mr Esaue as the head of the ministry should make sure this happen for a better understanding of the plans by stakeholders. It will give stakeholders the chance to voice out what they feel about such plans and if it deems fit amendment should be done.
The ministry should also note that even if the plan is good if its not implemented it becomes useless.
Mr Esaue should further dilate on how his ministry is willing and ready for consultations with animal rights groups and should also clarify the issue of harvest not cull of seals. All the best in their plans ahead.
Namibia Seal massacre
Esau has admitted the seals are massacred as a harvest. There is a fundamental difference between a "harvest" and a "cull"
A cull is done to protect the environment. The mass slaughter of seals in Namibia has nothing to do with protecting fish stocks. Each year, in October, the fisheries are closed to allow fish stocks to recover. The seals have no adverse impact.
The slaughtering of Cape Fur seals (a CITES II listed species)in Namibia is done purely for commercial reasons. It is based on economic greed and is surrounded by corruption, is cloaked in secrecy and is managed by incompetents.
The IUCN has noted that current TAC quotas are not sustainable, given the low pup birthing rates and the mass die offs.
A report produced by The Humane Society and World Society for the Protection of Animals clearly shows that sustainable seal viewing eco tourism is worth THREE HUNDRED times more than the slaughter. Eco-tourism will benefit the grass roots communities, promote a sense of national identity, create employment and generate wealth.
Aside from denying their own people the chance to better themselves, the Namibian government are violating their own legislation, particularly the Animal Protection Act of 1962.
The USA, Mexico, the EU and recently Russia have ALL banned the import of seal products. The Chinese are up in arms that Canada is trying to dump their seal garbage in that country. South Africa gave up their own seal harvest in 1990 and well managed fish stocks have not been adversely affected.
International condemnation of this barbaric practice continues to grow, despite Esau claiming he has "strategies" to counteract the movement. The man has no scientific basis for his argument and as a result is pushing his country into further economic isolation due to international consumer boycotts.