Fish trust tasked to open three community markets

The Namibian Fish Consumption Promotion Trust has been tasked with establishing at least three community fish markets to make fish more affordable and accessible, particularly in rural areas.

Deputy minister of agriculture, fisheries, water and land reform Ruthy Masake announced this during the inauguration of the trust’s new board of trustees in Windhoek on Wednesday.

Masake said the markets should serve communities where people struggle to access affordable fish.

“During your tenure, I expect the board to prioritise the establishment of at least three community fish markets, subject to appropriate feasibility assessments, resource availability and sound implementation planning,” she said.

She said the board must work with regional councils, local authorities and communities to identify suitable locations for the markets.

The initiative could create jobs and support small businesses in the areas where the markets are established.

Masake said Namibia’s fishing industry contributes to the economy through employment and exports, but more Namibians should benefit from the country’s fish resources.

She also urged the board to improve fish transportation, storage and distribution, particularly in communities far from the coast.

She called for better financial management, saying the trust must use public resources responsibly and set clear targets for its projects.

“Our ultimate objective must be to ensure that the trust delivers tangible and measurable benefits to the people it was established to serve.”

The new board consists of chairperson Lot Ndamonomhata, Charlene Hartung, Olivia Shuuluka, Ndahalomwene Gotlieb and Wilfried Naibab, who was appointed in his absence.

Speaking during his acceptance remarks, Ndamonomhata said the trust recorded a N$19 million deficit in 2024 due to rising harvesting and operating costs, cheaper imported fish and other challenges.

He said the financial difficulties were not caused by mismanagement but by changing business conditions.

Ndamonomhata said the board would review the trust’s operations and find ways to keep fish affordable without placing more financial pressure on consumers.

“We are, therefore, committing to pursuing financial sustainability alongside affordability, as you indicated, with the hope of returning to breaking even if not a surplus also,” he said.

He explained that the trust operates on a cost-recovery basis, meaning it aims to cover its expenses rather than make a profit.

Any surplus, he said, could help the trust expand its services to more communities.

Ndamonomhata raised concerns about rising transport and distribution costs, which make it difficult to supply fish to communities far from the coast.
He said the board would work with small vendors and entrepreneurs to improve fish distribution and create jobs.

“There are not many things that we have to reinvent; many things are working and we want to improve on that,” he said.