Cabinet took the following decisions at its 19th ordinary meeting held on 6 November 2007.


1. APPOINTMENT OF THE DEPUTY COMMISSIONER GENERAL OF SECTIONS FOR THE SHANGHAI WORLD EXPO 2010 IN CHINA

Cabinet rescinded its September 2007 decision on the appointment of Ambassador Monika Nashandi, Deputy Executive Director in the Office of the President as the Deputy Commissioner General of Sections for the Shanghai World Expo 2010 in China, due to Amb. Nashandi’s heavy work load in the Office of the President.

The Commissioner General and Deputy Commissioner General of Sections are expected to be the driving forces of Namibia’s preparations, attending meetings of Commissioners General of Sections in China, engage in bilateral discussions with the Chinese Government on possible financial and technical assistance for Namibia and other technical arrangements for participation in the Expo.

Cabinet, therefore, appointed Ms. Uilkka Kamboua, Director of Housing, Habitat, Planning and Technical Services Coordination in the Ministry of Regional and Local Government, Housing and Rural Development as the Deputy Commissioner General of Sections for the Shanghai World Expo 2010 in China.

Further information can be obtained from the Ministry of Regional and Local Government, Housing and Rural Development at telephone number 2975212.


2. TOTAL ALLOWABLE CATCHES FOR HORSE MACKEREL AND DEEP-SEA RED CRAB FOR THE JANUARY 1, TO DECEMBER 31, 2008 FISHING SEASON AND ROCK LOBSTER FOR THE NOVEMBER 1, 2007 TO APRIL 30, 2008 FISHING SEASON

Research surveys on horse mackerel stocks conducted in 2006 and 2007 have indicated a decline in the horse mackerel biomass to 546 000 and 535 000 tonnes respectively. There has also been an overall reduction in the size of captured fish and this indicates that this fishery is under pressure.

In 2006, the industry was allocated 300 000 metric tonnes and under caught. According to the fishing industry, they could not land the full 2006 TAC due to the movement of adult horse mackerel into the 200 m isobaths where there is a ban on fishing and the fact that the fish had been smaller than usual and it took longer to find schools of fish.

As a precautionary approach to fisheries management, the Minister of Fisheries and Marine Resources considered the scientific recommendations and the recommendations of the Marine Resources Advisory Council recommendations and set a TAC of 230 000 tonnes for horse mackerel for the January to December 2008 fishing season.

Deep-sea red crab stock is shared between Angola and Namibia, but the stock is currently managed as distinct population units by the two countries. Available data indicates a relatively stable catch per unit of effort and fishable biomass over the pass decade.

The TAC for deep-sea red crab is, therefore set at 2 500 tonnes for the January to December 2008 season in line with the recommendations by scientists and the Marine Resource Advisory Council.

For rock lobster, results of the assessments carried out in 2007 show that there is no improvement in the overall biomass of the lobster stock, while stock recruitment for the past few years has been poor. A decline in the overall catch per unit of effort of the stock was also observed, despite swell conditions having become more moderate during recent seasons. By the end of the 2006/07 season, less than 50% of the TAC was filled compared to 70% of the TAC filled by the end of the previous season.

In line with Section 38 of the Marine Resources Act (Act no 27 of 2000), the Minister of Fisheries and Marine Resources, therefore, set the TAC for rock lobster for the November 2007 to April 2008 season at 350 tonnes in line with the recommendations by scientists and the Marine Resource Advisory Council.

If the full TAC is caught in each of the fisheries indicated above, the total revenue that will be generated from the payment of quota fees will be around N$48.350 million.

With the above in mind, Cabinet approved the following TACs:

• Horse mackerel:230 000 tonnes from the January 1 to December 31, 2008 season;
• Red Crab: 2 500 tonnes for the January 1 to December 31, 2008 season; and
• Rock lobster: 350 tonnes for the 2007/2008 fishing season as follows:
  • Southern grounds (Diaz Point to Orange River border) from 1 November 2007 to 30 April 2008;
  • Central grounds (between the Luderitz and Ichaboe sanctuaries), Northern and Far-Northern grounds (including Gallovidea, Hottentot Point, Black Rock, Saddle Hill, Mercury and Easter Cliffs) from 1 January to 30 April 2008.

Cabinet, furthermore, instructed the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources to allocate quotas and determine management measures for the above species in line with Section 39 of the Marine Resources Act.

Further information can be obtained from the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources at telephone number 2053911.


3. CASINO AND GAMBLING HOUSES ACT, 1994 (ACT NO 32 OF 1994): APPOINTMENT OF CASINO BOARD MEMBERS

Cabinet approved the appointment of the following people to the Casino Board:

• Mr. H. Angula, a lawyer, as Chairperson of the Board;
• Mrs. M. C. Greeff, a lawyer, as Vice-Chairperson;
• Mr. A. Mieze, Director of Tourism in the Ministry of Environment and Tourism as Board Member and Mr. S. Muinjo, Deputy Director, General Support Services in the Ministry as his alternate;
• Mr. U.J. Kavari, Director of Inland Revenue in the Minister of Finance as Board Member and Mr. J. J. Kotze, Deputy Director of Inland Revenue as his alternate;
• Ms. B Katjiuongua, Director of Social Services in the Ministry of Health and Social Services as Board Member and Mr. R. M. C. Platt, Acting Director of Finance and Logistics in the Ministry as her alternate.

Further information can be obtained from the Ministry of Environment and Tourism at telephone number 2842335.


4. ANNUAL REPORTS:

• 2006/2007 ANNUAL REPORT OF THE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT;
• ANNUAL REPORT OF THE POLYTECHNIC OF NAMIBIA FOR THE FINANCIAL YEAR 2006;
• ANNUAL FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF THE NAMIBIA COLLEGE OF OPEN LEARNING (NAMCOL) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2007; AND
• ANNUAL REPORT OF THE ROADS AUTHORITY FOR THE YEAR 2005/2006

Cabinet noted the above-mentioned reports and authorised the respective line-offices and ministries to table them in the National Assembly.

MBEUTA UA-NDJARAKANA
PERMANENT SECRETARY