Namibia’s fledgling marine and inland aquaculture industry could expand rapidly and market oysters, abalone, mussels, clams and lobsters on a larger scale to Europe and Asia, if financial injections from Government, the Namibian Development Bank and the EU can be obtained. Some 300 delegates from Namibia, South Africa, Norway and Spain met over two days at Swakopmund this week to discuss ways and means to help this new sector. Catches of wild fish and other species are declining worldwide, necessitating marine and inland fish farming or aquaculture. Experts from Norway, led by that country’s fisheries minister, Svein Ludvigsen, shared their 30-year experience with aquaculture in salmon and rainbow trout farming at the meeting. Delegates noted that Namibia needed skills training, expertise in international marketing strategies, technology transfer and intensified research to expand the sector. Recommendations made were to set up an investment fund for entrepreneurs, share marketing strategies, increase networking and strengthen the Namibia Mariculture Association. With regard to inland fishery projects, it was discussed that this brought success and profits over a shorter time; its main focus was rather to uplift communities to secure food self-sufficiency.

In November last year a task team completed its draft policy on land tenure and management after 11 months and hard work, funded by donor money from Germany and Britain. The document was submitted to Cabinet before the Christmas recess. In its first meeting this year, Cabinet approved the document. It deals with land tenure reform in urban, communal, resettlement and commercial farming areas. It further deals with the acquisition and compensation to land occupiers and owners affected by developments in communal and commercial areas. It is not known when the document will be made public. It might be tabled and discussed in the National Assembly in due course.

Bank Windhoek is once more supporting the annual apple project of Namibia’s Cancer Association. Last year apples were sold to the public and businesses for over N$ 400 000. Free transport of the apples to all corners of the country by Cross Country Carriers and apples at cost price sold to the Apple Project by Fruit & Veg City all indicate the big support private businesses render to the Cancer Association of Namibia. Interested persons can order apples at N$2 each at any branch of Bank Windhoek until 18 March. Free delivery is ensured. Over the years, many schools joined the project with pupils selling thousands of apples and winning prizes for their efforts.