Also known as: CNFA Chairperson Matti Amukwa
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The Namibian
Confederation of Namibia Fishing Associations chairperson Matti Amukwa says situation is unclear and government must provide guidelines on how it will work
“Amukwa says industry players are waiting for the final wording of the gazette. "One has to wait and read the wording of the gazette in order to make a fair comment. For now, we don't know exactly what's going to be gazetted," he says. He says the government must provide guidelines.”
Government to formalise 200m trawling ban as industry questions temporary relaxationThe Namibian
Matti Amukwa warns that more than 90 vessels could be excluded from fishing grounds
“Confederation of Namibian Fishing Associations chairperson Matti Amukwa warns that more than 90 vessels could be excluded from these fishing grounds.”
Namibia fishing industry divided over cabinet relaxation of 200m isobath ruleThe Namibian
Matti Amukwa says the decision contradicts government scientists' warnings about breeding and nursery areas
“Equally worrying is that this decision contradicts repeated warnings from government scientists.”
Namibia fishing industry divided over cabinet relaxation of 200m isobath ruleThe Namibian
Confederation of Namibian Fishing Associations chairperson Matti Amukwa confirmed Namibia imports hake from South Africa and South America to process
“Confederation of Namibian Fishing Associations chairperson Matti Amukwa has confirmed that Namibia imports hake from South Africa and South America to process into fillets, portions, molded loins and other value-added products.”
Namibia imports N$140m in fish as local hake quotas declineNew Era
Confederation of Namibian Fishing Industries' chairperson Matti Amukwa stated that the industry has been opposing fishing in restricted areas
“Meanwhile, the Confederation of Namibian Fishing Industries' chairperson Matti Amukwa, told New Era that the industry has been opposing fishing in restricted areas.”
‘Employees used as fishing quota bait’The Namibian
Matti Amukwa warns against panic in the sector
“Chairperson of the Confederation of Namibia Fishing Associations (CFNA) Matti Amukwa says job losses would be unfortunate, but warns against panic in the sector.”
Union rejects 500 planned job cuts at Gendev FishingNew Era
Matti Amukwa noted that achieving MSC certification has been a team effort providing assurance of commitment to Namibian hake sustainability
“Matti Amukwa, chair of the Namibian Hake Association, noted that, "Since [the country's] Independence, the government, scientists, and industry have worked hand-in-hand to rebuild the hake resource and create a profitable fishing industry that gives back to people and the environment. Achieving MSC certification, first in 2020 and now, has been a team effort and provides assurance to the world that we are committed to the sustainability of Namibian hake."”
Namibia’s hake fishery secures second MSC certificationThe Namibian
Matti Amukwa complained that the 'governmental objectives' fishing quota is distributed non-transparently and not for intended reasons
“Matti Amukwa, the chair of the Confederation of the Namibian Fishing Association, has complained that the so-called 'governmental objectives' fishing quota is being distributed in a non-transparent manner and not for the intended reasons.”
Fishrot is Alive and KickingStock records from Scombrus Fishing show two horse mackerel trawlers recorded 1,233,821kg of by-catch over 30 days, but the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform says it cannot authenticate the figures. The ministry is pushing for tighter controls on by-catch, the unintended catch of marine species when fishing for another target.
24 September 2026 · The Namibian →
Stock records from Scombrus Fishing show two horse mackerel trawlers recorded 1,233,821kg of by-catch over 30 days, but the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform says it cannot authenticate the figures. The ministry is pushing for tighter controls on by-catch, the unintended catch of marine species when fishing for another target.
24 September 2026 · The Namibian →
At a Fisheries Indaba in Walvis Bay, stakeholders including the CEO of Namibia's Fisheries Observer Agency called on the Fisheries Ministry to base Total Allowable Catch decisions on scientific data and evidence. An Associate Professor of Fisheries Science noted that several key fish stocks remain below biomass targets with rebuilding efforts falling behind schedule, yet TAC determinations continue to exceed scientific recommendations.
8 September 2026 · Informanté →
Namibia's Fisheries Observer Agency CEO says the fishing industry's long-term future depends on expanding observer coverage on the 230 licensed vessels operating in Namibian waters. He noted that with 117 observers available, deployment is inconsistent and weak compliance compromises scientific data critical for stock assessment.
7 September 2026 · Informanté →
Agriculture minister Inge Zaamwani has appealed against the environmental commissioner's decision to grant an environmental clearance certificate to Namibian Marine Phosphate for the Sandpiper marine phosphate mining project, appealing against the decision in its entirety and all conditions in the certificate.
3 September 2026 · The Namibian →
The environmental commissioner issued an environmental clearance certificate on 5 August for Knowledge Katti's Namibia Marine Phosphate's Sandpiper marine phosphate mining project offshore Namibia, valid until 5 August 2029. The decision has triggered opposition from the IPC and conservationists who have raised long-running environmental and industry concerns.
10 August 2026 · The Namibian →
Namibia's environment ministry granted an Environmental Clearance Certificate to Namibia Marine Phosphate for proposed seabed phosphate mining, sparking division among Namibians. Critics including marine experts and the opposition warn the project could damage fish stocks and the fishing industry, while others argue it will create jobs.
10 August 2026 · New Era →
Namibia's fishing industry has cautioned that the government's proposal to increase the bycatch levy from 15% to 50% could threaten company viability and lead to job losses and vessel shutdowns. The Namibian Hake Association warns the measure, combined with stricter bycatch thresholds and forfeiture provisions, would be punitive rather than corrective, and says the industry was not meaningfully consulted before the proposal reached Cabinet.
30 June 2026 · The Namibian →
Hake catches fell from 40 005 tonnes in Q3 to 18 436 tonnes in Q4 2025, according to the Namibia Statistics Agency. Despite declining catches overall, fish export earnings rose 9.8% year-on-year to N$2.9 billion in Q4, with Spain remaining the top export market.
29 June 2026 · The Namibian →
Namibia's agriculture minister has implemented a Cabinet decision to increase the penalty levy on bycatch from 15% to 50%, citing alarming increases in bycatch volumes and threats to marine biodiversity. The ministry convened stakeholder consultations in response to some fisheries recording increases of more than 200% in bycatch over the past decades.
29 June 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah met with the Confederation of Namibian Fishing Associations to discuss the fishing sector's future, emphasizing that Namibia cannot remain a leading fish-producing nation while citizens struggle to buy fish and that sustainable management of marine resources must remain a priority. The industry warned that growing policy uncertainty is beginning to undermine investor confidence and threaten long-term sustainability.
26 June 2026 · New Era →
President Nandi-Ndaitwah met with the Confederation of Namibian Fishing Associations to discuss sustainability, sector challenges, and economic contribution to job creation and foreign exchange earnings. The CNFA raised concerns over policy contradictions and regulatory uncertainties, and highlighted declining fish stocks as a threat to the industry's future.
25 June 2026 · Informanté →
The government will turn the 200-metre isobath trawling prohibition into law by September. Cabinet's recent decision to allow limited fishing in the zone is temporary and will end in 2027.
28 April 2026 · The Namibian →
Cabinet approved a temporary 12-month relaxation of trawling limits for wet-landed horse mackerel from 200 metres to 150 metres starting 1 May, a decision the fishing industry views with division. The industry chair warns that over 90 vessels could be excluded from fishing grounds and the move contradicts government scientists' warnings about the 150–200 metre zone being a breeding and nursery area.
27 April 2026 · The Namibian →
Namibia imported nearly N$140 million in fish in the fourth quarter of 2025—a 40% increase from the previous year—driven by declining fishing quotas allocated to local companies, forcing processors to source raw material from South Africa and Spain to maintain operations and employment.
29 March 2026 · The Namibian →
Industry players and unionists allege that fishing companies are threatening mass layoffs to pressure the government for increased quotas, with Gendev announcing the retrenchment of over 400 workers. The labour minister has placed Gendev's retrenchments on hold pending stakeholder consultation and rejected proposals to allocate quotas directly to employees.
30 January 2026 · New Era →
The Namibian Seamen and Allied Workers' Union has rejected Gendev Fishing's planned retrenchment of 489 employees, arguing the company breached labour law and failed to properly consult workers before issuing retrenchment notices. The company cited sustained financial losses, reduced revenue, and operational challenges as reasons for the contemplated retrenchments.
28 January 2026 · The Namibian →
Namibia's hake fishery has secured its second Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certification, reinforcing its commitment to sustainable fishing practices. The certification, achieved after an independent assessment on 14 January 2026, strengthens market access and the fishery's competitive advantage, as the industry contributes approximately 7% to GDP and provides around 16,000 direct jobs.
15 January 2026 · New Era →