The number of fishing companies that either close down completely or must retrench is ever increasing with the Tunacor Group at Walvis Bay going to retrench 351 workers, a third of its workforce at Tunacor Fisheries. The company refused to make any statements to the media, but the relevant labour unions confirmed the shocking news. According to the Namibian Food and Allied Workers’ Union (Nafau), the 351 affected employees already received notice of their lay -off last week. The strong R/N$ against the US dollar, high operational costs, quota levy fees and increased fuel prices have caused tremendous problems for the Namibian fishing sector. However, addressing the industry stakeholders last week, Fisheries minister Abraham Iyambo blamed companies for their own difficulties. Lack of visionary management, bad planning and still too many foreign managers caused the problems, Iyambo said. Approximately 1000 jobs were cut in the past 4 months, almost 8 % of the 14 000 people working in this sector.