Don’t miss boat on aquaculture: Minister

“THE way is now clear for the expansion of both marine and freshwater fish farming,” Minister of Fisheries and Marine Resources, Dr Abraham Iyambo, said in his annual address to members of the fishing industry on Thursday.

“Aquaculture is a real focal development area for Namibia,” he said at the function which was held in Windhoek. Iyambo outlined that Namibia had the ideal conditions for such a development.”We have an uninhabited coast and there is hardly any fear of pollution.We might be changing the landscape, but we are using it for the benefit of mankind”.A Directorate of Aquaculture within the Ministry has been established and is currently working on a strategic plan that details how policy will be translated into reality.”We have received many applications from entrepreneurs interested in investing in this exciting and growing sector, with plans to grow species such as scallop, rainbow trout, abalone, catfish, shrimps and kob,” Iyambo said on Thursday.The Minister emphasised that there was a market for these developments, both in Africa and Europe.He invited investors to “look seriously at aquaculture and get involved now, rather than adopting a ‘wait and see’ approach”.”Anyone can apply for an aquaculture licence at any time,” he added, calling on people to come and talk to the Ministry to see what the sector offers.Iyambo outlined that Namibia had the ideal conditions for such a development. “We have an uninhabited coast and there is hardly any fear of pollution. We might be changing the landscape, but we are using it for the benefit of mankind”. A Directorate of Aquaculture within the Ministry has been established and is currently working on a strategic plan that details how policy will be translated into reality. “We have received many applications from entrepreneurs interested in investing in this exciting and growing sector, with plans to grow species such as scallop, rainbow trout, abalone, catfish, shrimps and kob,” Iyambo said on Thursday. The Minister emphasised that there was a market for these developments, both in Africa and Europe. He invited investors to “look seriously at aquaculture and get involved now, rather than adopting a ‘wait and see’ approach”. “Anyone can apply for an aquaculture licence at any time,” he added, calling on people to come and talk to the Ministry to see what the sector offers.