Namibia moves to reclaim quotas from Walu as dispute over fishing rights deepens
Company disputes allocation system and claims unfair treatment
NAMIBIA – The Namibian government has initiated steps to recover the value of horse mackerel quotas previously assigned to Walu Fishing Investments, citing alleged violations of contractual obligations tied to the allocation.
This action follows a programme introduced for the 2024 and 2025 fishing seasons aimed at preserving employment in the sector, under which the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water, and Land Reform granted Walu a share of the national catch allowance.
Under the arrangement, Walu received 6,690 metric tons of horse mackerel quota in 2025, representing 3% of the country’s total allowable catch of 208,000 metric tons.
The quota distribution formed part of the Government Employment Redress Program, a scheme launched in 2020 to assist workers who lost jobs after companies were stripped of fishing rights during the Fishrot corruption scandal.
However, the government said the company failed to meet its obligations, citing disruptions in 2024 when Walu employees staged protests after reportedly going unpaid for more than 3 months.
Authorities further stated that the situation persisted into 2025, alleging that workers were again left without salaries from October, prompting the state to begin efforts to recover the quota value.
Quota dispute intensifies
As a result of these developments, the ministry confirmed that Walu has not been allocated any quota for the 2026 fishing season and is therefore not eligible to participate.
Officials added that any claims suggesting the company would receive allocations this year are inaccurate, maintaining that there is no existing agreement with Walu.
In response, Walu argued that the quotas it received were insufficient to sustain its operations or meet payroll obligations, and said it remains focused on securing additional allocations to keep the business viable.
The dispute escalated further after Walu Managing Director Erna Loch released a video in January 2026, accusing the ministry of inequitable quota distribution and failure to address corruption within the fishing rights system.
Loch claimed the exclusion of her company from the 2026 allocations was retaliatory and linked to her criticism of how fishing rights are managed.
Government defends allocation process
The ministry rejected these claims, stating that decisions on total allowable catch levels and quota distribution are based on scientific assessments, legal frameworks, and cabinet approvals rather than external pressure.
Officials insisted that maintaining the sustainability of fish stocks and protecting compliant rights holders remain central to the country’s fisheries management approach.
The dispute comes at a time when Namibia has reduced its horse mackerel total allowable catch for 2026 by 5% to 197,000 metric tons, a move the government described as a precaution aimed at safeguarding long-term stock health.
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