Marine advisory council appointed

Marine advisory council appointed The minister of fisheries and marine resources has announced the new members of the Marine Resource Advisory Council.

The 13 members are chairperson Moses Maurihungirire; vice-chairperson Anna Ndinelao Erastus; secretary Olivia Shuuluka; ordinary members B.W. Oelofsen; Baronice Hans; Hilkka Ndjaula; Michael Akuupa; Jacob Penda; Miguel Tordesillas; Sacky Amoomo; Matti Amukwa; Pieter Greeff; and Ndelitungapo Shiluwa.

They will serve for the next three years.

Penda and Amukwa are serving for the second time.

“The Marine Resources Advisory Council is critical to the successful development of the fisheries sector in Namibia,” Minister Bernhard Esau said in a statement issued last week.

The minister chose persons with different skills and experiences that he believed were essential in the decision-making process on a variety of issues. Most members have more than five years'' experience in various fields of the fishing industry.

Maurihungirire is the permanent secretary in the fisheries ministry, Amukwa is the chairperson of the Confederation of Namibian Fishing Associations, and Tordesillas is the CEO of the NovaNam fishing company.

Penda, who is the secretary-general of the Namibia Food and Allied Workers'' Union, has been dealing with trade union matters in the fishing industry for more than five years.

Greeff is the managing director of Etosha Fishing Company in Walvis Bay, while Amoomo is the managing director of Omualu Fishing.

“I have also required the new council members to sign performance conditions necessary to ensure integrity, transparency and accountability, which are part of the core values of the ministry of fisheries and marine resources.”

Esau acknowledged the decision-making process is not easy, especially when such decisions affect the sustainability of marine resources, economic viability of fisheries, businesses, and livelihoods of thousands of Namibians.

He urged all stakeholders in the fishing sector, staff members of the ministry and development partners involved in fisheries to support the council.

The council is tasked with the responsibility of advising the minister on the setting of total allowable catches, levies and fees; and expenditure of the Fisheries Observer Fund, and Marine Resources Fund.

They also deal with any matter the minister refers to them for investigation and advice.

NAMPA