Namibia eases horse mackerel fishing limits amid concerns over sustainability

NAMIBIA – Namibia has temporarily relaxed trawling restrictions for the wet-landed horse mackerel sector, allowing selected vessels to operate in waters as shallow as 150 metres instead of the long-standing 200 metre limit, a move that has triggered criticism from parts of the fishing industry and fisheries scientists over possible environmental and trade implications.

The policy shift comes shortly after the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform reduced the 2026 total allowable catch for horse mackerel by 5% to 197,000 metric tonnes, with authorities describing the quota cut as a precautionary step aimed at protecting fish stocks.

At the same time, the ministry allocated a non-commercial harvesting quota of 69,706.01 metric tonnes for the 2026 season, including 59,186.22 metric tonnes for freezer operations and 10,519.79 metric tonnes for wet-landed fishing activities.

Industry Concerns

Although the revised fishing depth rules do not involve direct financial support, critics argue the measure could amount to an indirect subsidy because it gives a limited number of operators access to previously restricted, biologically sensitive fishing grounds.

Cabinet approved the temporary arrangement for a 12-month period running from May 2026 to April 2027, with the exemption applying only to vessels involved in the wet-landed horse mackerel subsector.

Fishing groups and marine researchers have raised concerns that the affected area contains important spawning and nursery grounds, warning that increased trawling in shallower waters could disrupt marine ecosystems and hinder long-term recovery of fish stocks.

The 200-metre isobath restriction has historically served as a conservation boundary, designed to shield sensitive habitats from intensive commercial trawling, particularly in areas closer to the coast where juvenile fish populations are concentrated.

WTO Questions Raised

The decision has also prompted debate over whether the regulatory change could conflict with the World Trade Organisation Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies, which seeks to prevent measures that contribute to overfishing and excessive fishing capacity.

Critics contend that granting access to protected areas lowers operating costs for vessel owners by allowing them to fish closer to shore and avoid additional expenses associated with offshore operations, thereby increasing fishing efficiency without direct government payments.

Namibia’s horse mackerel industry has repeatedly been described as overcapitalised, meaning the number of vessels and fishing equipment exceeds what scientists consider sustainable for the available fish stocks.

Analysts say governments often ease fishing restrictions in heavily invested fisheries to protect jobs and existing business operations, although such measures can face scrutiny under international trade rules if they are viewed as encouraging additional pressure on already strained marine resources.

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