Local fishermen left with no livelihood

Local fishermen, who specialize in catching mullets have been left without their source of income, after the area where they used to fish between Independence Beach and the oil tanker jetty was unexpectedly closed off.

“We had no prior warning. We arrived ready to catch our fish for the day and saw that the area was closed off. Over the years the size of the area we could fish became smaller, since the Navy also started operating there and basically ‘censored’ us. The area has now been completely closed off and we have nowhere to fish,” said one of the local fishermen.

He explained that he made a living from selling the fish he caught.

“My income varied from day to day, but I could put food on my table and pay for the roof over my head. I could even pay the workers that worked with me. But now I have nothing. My customers have been calling me non-stop about fish, but what do I sell to them?”

According to this fisherman there is no other area for them to continue with their operations.

“Catching mullets is a skill we hone over the years, what do I do now? We’ve always complied with the rules and regulations set by the fisheries and marine resources ministry, ensuring that we never caught more than what is allowed and we always ensured we had licenses.”

Wimpie de Klerk, another mullets fishermen who have been in the industry for 35 years, said the fishermen already faced a threat when the area they fished in was reduced significantly in 2020.

“It’s a sensitive issue. We have seen on more than one occasion that everything revolves around money. We are mindful of the fact that there are quite a lot of developments taking place in the area such as the North Port development of Namport and the oil tanker jetty. We are also seeing bigger ships move into our waters – but what about us, the ordinary fishermen making a living? We used to sell our fish to the local informal markets, but there’s no fish now.”

De Klerk pointed out that the mullet fishermen were sent from one person to the next when they voiced their plight and raised their concern about all the developments closing in on their fishing grounds.

“We constantly encountered a situation of blame-shifting. It was just never anyone’s problem to help us continue with our livelihood.”

Mullets, or in Afrikaans “harders” are caught by teams of about six to eight people, working in conjunction from the shore and on the ocean. Mullets are usually found close to shore, hence only a small boat is required and extra hands on shore to pull in the cast net.

In response to questions sent to the Walvis Bay municipality, Anita Kaihiva, the communications officer explained that the area between the beach and the oil tanker jetty is divided into three erven.

“Erf 4688, which is Walvis Bay Extension 5, is owned by the council; part of the land is allocated in principle for the construction of a desalination plant, and part of the land is allocated in principle to the University of Namibia for the establishment of a marine school. Secondly, erf 4687 (Walvis Bay extension 5) no longer exists, and it is now developed into Walvis Bay Extension 18 (comprising various erven under various private ownerships). Thirdly, erf 4686 (Walvis Bay extension 5) also no longer exists and it is now developed into Walvis Bay Extension 17 (comprising various erven under various private ownerships).

She also noted that the public still have access to the beach through Walvis Bay Extensions 17 and 18.

"There are public roads leading to the beach and public open space(s).”