NFCPT board urged to establish three fish markets

**Ester Hakaala **

The newly appointed Board of Trustees of the Namibian Fish Consumption Promotion Trust (NFCPT) has been urged to prioritise the establishment of at least three community fish markets to improve access to affordable fish across Namibia.

Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform Ruthy Masake made the call on Wednesday during the inauguration of the board in Windhoek.

Masake said the markets should be strategically located in communities where access to affordable fish remains limited, subject to feasibility assessments, resource availability and proper implementation planning.

“During your tenure, I expect the board to prioritise the establishment of at least three community fish markets,” she said.

She said the markets should be developed in collaboration with regional councils, local authorities, communities and other stakeholders to ensure they respond to local needs.

According to Masake, the initiative could bring affordable fish closer to consumers, create employment opportunities, stimulate local economic activity and strengthen the fisheries sector’s contribution to community development.

**Affordable fish access **

Masake said Namibia’s marine resources contribute significantly to the national economy through employment creation, export earnings, investment and livelihoods, but their value should also be measured by their contribution to people’s well-being.

“Fish is an important source of protein and essential nutrients. Increasing domestic fish consumption can contribute to improved nutrition, healthier communities and greater food security,” she said.

She stressed that fish should be accessible and affordable to Namibians across all regions, including rural communities and areas far from the coast. Masake said the NFCPT has a responsibility to promote fish consumption, strengthen domestic distribution networks and ensure more Namibians benefit directly from the country’s fisheries resources.

She added that trust could also contribute to government efforts to address food insecurity, support vulnerable communities and strengthen resilience during droughts and other emergencies.

**Accountability **

Masake urged the board to uphold transparency, accountability, integrity and ethical conduct, saying public resources must be managed responsibly. She identified five priority areas for the board, strengthening corporate governance and accountability, expanding access to affordable fish, aligning the trust’s strategy with national development priorities, strengthening stakeholder partnerships, and improving institutional sustainability and service delivery. Masake said the board should establish clear targets, timelines and performance indicators to monitor progress towards the proposed community fish markets.

She also called for stronger collaboration with government, the fishing industry, regional councils, local authorities, retailers and community organisations to improve fish distribution and availability, particularly in remote areas.

The board was further urged to work with management to improve operational efficiency, strengthen financial planning, reduce unnecessary costs and ensure resources are directed towards priority programmes.

Masake said the success of the trust should be measured not only by its financial performance, but also by its contribution to affordable food access, increased domestic fish consumption, employment creation and community development.

Meanwhile, chairperson of the NFCPT Board of Trustees, Lot Ndamonomhata, said the trust would pursue financial sustainability while ensuring fish remains affordable to Namibian consumers.

He said the trust recorded a N$19 million deficit in 2024, attributing it to rising harvesting costs, cheaper fish imports and other operating challenges rather than mismanagement.

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

He added that the board would explore ways to extend the trust services to underserved communities through partnerships with the ministry, small vendors and entrepreneurs, while creating employment opportunities.

Ndamonomhata said the trust would build on the foundation laid by previous board members and work with the ministry and management to make fish a central part of the Namibian diet.

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