Wet Horse Mackerel Industry Perspective

Beyond the Quota: Securing the Future of Namibia’s Horse Mackerel Fishery Namibia must put science, stock recovery and local economic value ahead of pressure to increase horse mackerel quotas, ensuring a sustainable resource and lasting benefits for future generations. As Namibia considers the future management of its horse mackerel resource, an important distinction must guide the national debate: a higher total allowable catch (TAC) does not necessarily translate into higher catches, a healthier fish stock or greater economic benefit. Recent survey results indicating an improvement in horse mackerel biomass are encouraging. However, they should not be interpreted as conclusive evidence that the resource has recovered sufficiently to justify increased fishing pressure.

Biomass estimates are an important component of fisheries management, but they are only one part of a much broader scientific assessment. The responsibility of fisheries management is not simply to determine how many fish may be caught today. It is to ensure that sufficient fish remain in the ocean to sustain the resource, the industry and the livelihoods that depend on it for generations to come. Biomass alone does not tell the whole story A scientific survey provides an estimate of the stock at a particular point in time. Sustainable harvesting decisions must also take account of recruitment, age composition, stock structure, catch rates, fishing performance and the broader biological condition of the resource. Of particular concern is the indication that juvenile abundance remains relatively low despite the improvement in overall biomass estimates. Juvenile fish represent the future of the fishery. If fewer young fish are entering the population, the number of fish available to support future catches…