Source document: https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/1698750672066.pdf (Namibia)
BUDGET MOTIVATION 2023/2024 FINANCIAL YEAR BY THE HONOURABLE DEREK KLAZEN, MP, MINISTER OF FISHERIES AND MARINE RESOURCES FOR VOTE 22 MINISTRY OF FISHERIES AND MARINE RESOURCES “YEAR OF REVIVAL” 30 MARCH 2023 WINDHOEK NATIONAL ASSEMBLY It is my distinct pleasure to motivate the budget for Vote 22 for the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources for the 2023/2024 financial year “the year of revival” as declared by His Excellency Dr. Hage G. Geingob, President of the Republic of Namibia.
The year of revival will result in Vote 22 improving all efforts towards service delivery.

From the outset, let me echo the sentiments of this August House in congratulating Honorable Iipumbu Shiimi, Minister of Finance and Public Enterprises and Hon.

Obeth Kandjoze, The Director-General of National Planning Commission and their respective teams for crafting a thorough budget intended at “Economic Revival and Caring for the Poor”.
This national budget aims at striking a delicate balance between reducing the budget deficit, addressing the need of the vulnerable and propelling this country in the direction of economic growth.

Therefore, the Ministry continues to pledge its support towards efforts of Government of rendering quality services to the Namibian Nation.
Page 2 of 14 The core mandate of vote of 22 is for the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources to responsibly, utilize, conserve, protect and promote marine resources in a sustainable manner for the benefits of the current and future generations as embedded in Article 95(l) of the Constitution of the Republic of Namibia.
In order for Vote 22 to execute its mandate, I seek approval from this August House for the amount totaling Two Hundred and Ninety Million, Five Hundred and Ten Thousand, Namibia Dollars (N$ 290,510,000) for the 2023/2024 financial year.
A lion’s share of this allocation being Two Hundred and Seventy Million, Five Hundred and Ten Thousand, Namibia Dollars (N$ 270,510,000) is earmarked for the operational budget and the remaining Twenty Million, Namibia Dollars (N$ 20,000,000) will be directed to development projects.
Honorable Chairperson of the Whole House Committee, Honourable Members, Page 3 of 14 The Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources comprises of the Department of Technical Operations, Planning, Aquaculture, Administration and Resources Management and have six programmes to address some of the country’s developmental goals related to marine and aquatic resources.
Programme 1: Survey and Stock Assessment Honourable Chairperson, Honourable Members, This programme is essential for the sustainable management of Namibia’s living marine resources since it is under this programme that surveys are conducted to provide data on marine fish stocks and guide in the setting of the Total Allowable Catch (TAC) which in turn ensures long term sustainable harvesting of marine resources.
I am pleased to report that during the financial year 2022- 23, the ministry conducted biomass survey fish stocks for all commercially exploitable fish stocks.

The TAC as a management tool is informed by biomass data stock assessment and that ensures that fisheries are managed in a sustainable manner.

Page 4 of 14 This data collection and stock assessments are required for maintaining a full Marine Steward Council certification for our prime hake to allow Namibian products into lucrative markets.
During the 2023/2024 financial year, the Ministry intends to continue conducting surveys on the living marine organisms and the marine environment to produce best scientific advice on the level of TACs for the different commercial fisheries.
Honourable Chairperson, Honourable Members, Given the importance of this programme and the need to fulfil the above-mentioned responsibilities an allocation of Fifty-One Million, Nine Hundred and Eighty-One Thousand, Namibia Dollars (N$ 51,981,000) for the 2023/2024 financial year is requested.
Programme 2: Human Resources Development Honourable Chairperson and Honourable Members, The purpose of this programme is to provide administrative support services such as finance, human resources and procurement to support the execution of the assigned functions and programmes.

Page 5 of 14 The function of human resources development is to implement the annual training plan in order to improve the capacity and skills of staff members to ensure effective and efficient service delivery.
In addition, there is also funding for a Capital project under this programme of Five Million Namibia Dollars (N$ 5 000, 000).

As such, this programme is allocated an amount of Sixty- Seven Million, Seven Hundred Sixty-Seven Thousand, Namibia Dollars (N$ 67,767,000) for the 2023/2024 financial year.
Programme 3: Marine and Inland Monitoring, Control and Surveillance Honourable Chairperson and Honourable Members, In order to ensure the protection of our living aquatic resources the Ministry is mandated to conduct Monitoring, Control and Surveillance functions.

This programme focuses on curbing and deterring Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing activities within Namibia’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) as well as on the inland water bodies.
Page 6 of 14 Under the MCS programme, our law enforcement officers; Fisheries Inspectors, carry out activities such as; air, sea and river patrols, to monitor whether fishing activities are carried out within the ambit of our laws.

The MCS Programme includes monitoring of all landings at land- based fish processing plant/facilities, ports and off port limits, as well as to conduct coastal and land patrols and inspections.
The financial resources being requested for this programme covering expenses related to MCS activities, will also cover the maintenance and repairs of the patrol vessels, aircrafts and vehicles.

Therefore, there is a need to continuously maintain the seaworthiness and airworthiness of the fleet in compliance with the Classification Society.

Eleven Million and Five Hundred Thousand, Namibia Dollars (N$ 11,500,000) is for three capital projects under this programme.
As such, an amount of Eighty-Five Million, Nine Hundred and Nineteen Thousand, Namibia Dollars (N$ 85,919,000) is requested.

Page 7 of 14 Programme 4: Promotion of Aquaculture and Inland Fisheries Honourable Chairperson and Honourable Members, The purpose of this programme is to ensure the responsible and sustainable development of the aquaculture sector to achieve social economic benefits for the people living alongside the perennial rivers and seasonal rained pans.
The activities of this programme includes but not limited to zonation of land, sea based aqua parks, water quality monitoring phyto-sanitary testing, research training, advisory and extension services, hatchery establishment and fingerling production and distribution to subsistence farmers.

Under this programme, 8 (eight) research fish farms are providing advisory and extension services to farmers as well as producing fingerlings for distribution across the country.
Page 8 of 14 The Ministry continuously assess the sustainable utilization of inland fisheries to safeguard the resource base for those who are dependent thereon.
To this end the ministry has promoted Namibia as a leading nation in Africa regarding sustainable tenure of inland fisheries resources for the benefit of rural small-scale fishers as we continue to engage with local authorities and regional councils of the Kavango East and West and Zambezi Regions to assist communities to sustainably manage their fisheries resources.
The Ministry will soon also declare by Government Gazette Maurice Nekaro in Kavango West Region and Nsundwa and Kabu-labula in Zambezi Region as community fishery reserves.

We have already succeeded with the gazetting of 10 such small-scale fisheries management areas since 2016.

On the other hand, Mariculture activities are taking place on the coastal areas of Swakopmund, Walvis Bay and Lüderitz.
It is imperative to note that measures to ensure aquatic animal and environmental health, food safety and biosecurity as well international markets are very important in the development of the mariculture sector.
Page 9 of 14 To this end, the Ministry is working hard in support of mariculture products to gain and maintain confidence in national, regional and international markets through the implementation of Water Quality and Aquatic Animal Diseases Monitoring Programme in production and potential mariculture areas in the coast.
Honourable Chairperson and Honourable Members, In order to carry out the activities under this programme, an amount of Forty-Four Million, One Hundred and Ninety-Six Thousand, Namibia Dollars (N$ 44,196,000) is requested.

This amount includes an amount of Three Million, Five Hundred Thousand, Namibia Dollars (N$ 3,500,000) for two capital projects.
Programme 5: Policy and Economic Advice Honourable Chairperson and Honourable Members, The main purpose of this programme is to advice the Ministry on the impact of fisheries policies, and report on socio-economic performance of the sector.

Page 10 of 14 The management of fishing rights, analysis of socio- economic impact of gazetted Total Allowable Catch and allocation of fishing quotas are coordinated through this Programme.
The Programme also advises on setting of levies and fees payable in terms of Section 44 of Marine Resources Act of the Marine Resources Act of 2000.

Honourable Chairperson, Fisheries remain one of the significant contributors to economic growth, employment creation, nutrition, and foreign exchange earning in Namibia.
The sector accounted for over 14% of export earnings that were sourced from fish and fisheries products valued at N$10 billion Namibia Dollars making fisheries’ contribution to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of Namibia at 4.5% (NSA, 2022).

During 2022 employment figures indicated that 18 105 people are employed on fishing vessels and land-based factories of which women make up the largest component of 64 % of employment in land-based factories.
Page 11 of 14 Honourable chairperson, the Fishing Industry is one of the biggest contributors toward the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) across our country.

Corporate social responsibility (CSR) is a commitment by right holders where they donate, either in cash or kind, to needy members of the Namibian society.

During the period under review the sector made contributions towards CSR in a form of construction of classrooms, medical equipment, funding of scholarships to mention but a few.
The respective companies contributions to CSR is monitored and accessed through annual submission of quota applications.

As such, contributions to corporate social responsibilities by companies in the fishing industry benefits Namibians and communities in different regions.

Honourable Chairperson, Honourable Members, I am glad to report that there are improvements in labour relations within the fishing sector due to deliberate policies introduced by the Government.
These improvements remains a demonstration of Government’s commitment to address the unemployment situation in the country.

Page 12 of 14 Honourable Chairperson, to carry out activities under this programme during the 2023/2024 financial year, an amount of Thirteen Million, Eight Hundred and Fifty- Two Thousand, Namibia Dollars (N$ 13,851,600) is requested.
Programme 6: Coordination and Support Services Honourable Chairperson and Honourable Members, The purpose of this programme is to provide administrative support to the Ministry, particularly in financial management, optimal deployment of resources (human, financial, information technology and maintenance and logistical management) and ICT support services.
In order for this programme to be executed successfully in the 2023/2024 financial year, an amount of Twenty-Six Million, Seven Hundred and Ninety Five Thousand, Namibia Dollars (N$ 26,795,000.00) is requested.
Page 13 of 14 Honourable Chairperson and Honourable Members, Please allow me to submit to this August House, the budget for Vote 22: Fisheries and Marine Resource for the 2023/20234 Financial Year for your esteemed consideration and approval for an amount of Two Hundred and Ninety Million, Five Hundred and Ten Thousand, Namibia Dollars (N$ 290,510,000) for the implementation of the above-mentioned programmes.

In conclusion, I would like to thank my Deputy Minister Hon.
Silvia Makgone, and the entire staff members of the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources for their continued support and dedication to service delivery to our people.

I thank you.

Page 14 of 14