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Artisanal fishery in Henties Bay |
By Martin Tjipute and Fabian Mubiana, Henties Bay Research Centre
 In Namibia subsistence or artisanal fishery is not adequately recognized by the government, but the majority of people in the coastal towns of Swakopmund, Walvis Bay, Henties Bay and Lüderitz make a living purely on fishing. Small scale fisheries consist of ski-boat based line-fish, beach seine net and shore based fishery.
Artisanal fishery in Henties Bay, which is known as a recreational fishery destination in Southern Africa, is quite unique. This town has the highest unemployment rate, 75%, and most people are directly or indirectly involved in fishing. The local fishermen obtain recreational rock and surf angling licenses to fish as a means of providing food and earning a small income by illegally selling their excess catch. The beach fishermen either walk or cycle to the fishing areas sometimes up to 20km away. The Silver Kob (Argyrosomus coronus) is the most important linefish species, while other species caught are: White Steenbras (Lithognathus lithognathus ), Blacktail (Diplodus sargus capensis) and the Galjoen (Coracinus capensis). The fish are usually sold as a whole, at a price which depends on the size and species, in the range of N$ 20 – 40 per fish.
A formal fishing association called Hanganeni, which means “unite “ in Oshiwambo, was formed in 2003 through financing by the Spanish Cooperation, World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), the Municipality of Henties Bay and the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources. The Association, consisting of 20 members, has a building with offices and storeroom, as well as a refrigerator truck which is used to transport the members and deliver orders to customers. The daily catches are usually sold to restaurants, hotels and individual buyers at N$ 24.50/kg. Remuneration for members is determined at 60% of the individual catch, while 40% goes toward the running costs of the association. The catches are too low because of the reduction or dwindling fish stock along the Benguela coast line and this is therefore hampering the sustainability.
Because of unpredictable catches, in most cases fishermen can go for the whole week without a single catch, which has resulted in many fishermen dropping out of the association.
If you want to hear more about artisanal fisheries in Henties Bay, contact Fabian at fmubiana@unam.na.
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