Hake catch cut puts1 500 jobs at risk
Cutting the 2026/27 total allowable hake catch to 116 000 tonnes from 133 000 could put up to 1 500 jobs at risk, says the Namibian Hake Association. “The reduction of 12.8% (17 000) is equivalent to the entire annual throughput of a major shore-based processor, effectively placing up to 1 500 jobs at immediate risk,” says chairperson Matti Amukwa. The Cabinet approved setting the total allowable catch (TAC) for hake at 116 000 metric tonnes for the 2026/27 fishing season during its 34th and 35th meetings on 13 and 27 October. Amukwa, who is also the chairperson of the Confederation of Namibia Fishing Associations, on Wednesday told The Namibian that the industry was not consulted on the decision to reduce the TAC. “The association was not consulted. We remain fully committed to supportin…