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namib times SERVING THE COASTAL COMMUNITY SINCE 1958 NO 6875 TUESDAY 6 AUGUST 2019 Tel: +264 64 - 205854 / +264 64 - 461866 /Fax: +264 64 - 204813 / 064 - 461824 / Website: www.namibtimes.net
White mussel to become a quota species Floris Steenkamp “You can prepare yourself. White mussel will become a quota species in the Namibian fishing industry”. With these words Mr. Jose Luis Fernandez, the sole proprietor of Fermar Seafood CC, yesterday showed documented proof that he was already awarded an exploratory right to harvest clams (which include white mussel) by the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources in November 2017. Two work teams comprising of formerly dis- 38mm to 28mm. advantage people are harvesting white mussel In the letter the Permanent Secretary Dr. Moses on the 25km stretch of beach between Pelican Maurihungirire explained permission for the Point and “Paaltjies” which is the border with smaller size are granted on the basis Fermar’s Sandwich Harbour. overseas clients’ demand is for the smaller musI followed the proper procedures as in Spain sel. there is an established fishery harvesting mus- In the meantime, several local groups did not take sels. I am confident this is a viable fishery sec- it lightly when pictures and a video emerged over tor in the making for Namibia and the method the weekend of workers of Fermar harvesting we apply cannot lead to the destruction of white white mussel on a large scale. mussel populations, Mr. Fernandez explained Namib Times was inundated with calls since Sunyesterday at the office of Namib Times in Wal- day as people want the Ministry of Fisheries and vis Bay. The exploratory license has strict Marine Resources to take action against Fermar’s conditions attached. harvesting of white mussel. Fernandez also showed Namib Times an offi- Accusations by the public that Fermar was exporcial letter from the Ministry of Fisheries and ting the mussels as “oysters” were in the meanMarine Resources, dated 2 May 2018, in which time proven wrong. Fernandez showed Namib the Permanent Secretary of the ministry gave Times export documentation where the mussels permission to Fermar Seafood CC that it redu- are declared as “Donax Serra” which is the white ces the size limit of the mussels harvested from mussel, albeit also falling under the category clams.
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Drought aid Bonus
Fermar’s Mr Jose Luis Fernandez admitted yesterday that his business exports to Asia as many as 5 tons of white mussel per month. He refuted claims though that he is paid US$6 per kilogram. Fernandez is adamant there is a lucrative empowerment opportunity in clam/mussel harvesting and that it can be sustainable.
Ammonium Nitrate will not be handled negligently
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Namibia Wild Horses Foundation
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Retired Rugby friends unite
Crossroads Distribution gives assurance it has several contingency plans in place Floris Steenkamp
Crossroads Distribution, the logistics service provider responsible for the import of 4 000 tons of high density ammonium nitrate through the port of Walvis Bay refuted allegations yesterday it does not have adequate storage space for the product prior to export to Zambia. Continues on page 2
inside Toddler loses life in car accident
The first container on the new container terminal
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