Cabinet took the following decisions at its 18th ordinary meeting held on 16 October 2007.


1. NAMIBIA’S ACCESSION TO THE TORREMOLINOS PROTOCOL 1993 RELATING TO THE INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION FOR THE SAFETY OF FISHING VESSELS, 1977

The Torremolinos International Convention for the Safety of Fishing Vessels was modified by the Torremolinos Protocol of 1993 when it was realised that certain provisions of that convention have raised serious difficulties in their implementation. This prevented the convention from entering into force.

The 1993 Protocol is aimed at promoting the safety of life and property at sea and the protection of the marine environment by establishing agreed common regulation standards for the construction and equipment of fishing vessels. These standards are considered to be the highest practicable safety standards for the construction and equipment of fishing vessels.

The 1993 Torremolinos Protocol obliges state parties to promulgate laws and regulations to ensure the safety of fishing vessels. The Protocol applies to all seagoing vessels, including those processing their catch and those entitled to fly the flag of a state party.

The Protocol, furthermore, provides for the certification and port state control of fishing vessels, as well as requiring state parties to arrange for investigating casualties to their fishing vessels for the purpose of determining the causes and what remedy might be considered.

Against this background, Cabinet granted approval for Namibia’s accession to the 1993 Torremolinos Protocol and authorised the Minister of Foreign Affairs to effect the accession on behalf of Namibia to the International Maritime Organisation.

Further information can be obtained from the Ministry of Works, Transport and Communication at telephone number 2088111.


2. ANNUAL REPORT OF THE EMPLOYMENT EQUITY COMMISSION

Cabinet gave the green light to the Minister of Labour and Social Welfare to table the 2006/2007 Annual Report of the Employment Equity Commission in the National Assembly.

Further information can be obtained from the Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare at telephone number 2066321.


MBEUTA UA-NDJARAKANA
PERMANENT SECRETARY