The Namibia Economist

Fish consumption growing

Over the past couple of years, government as well as private fishing companies strived to promote fish consumption in the country. Namibians are generally regarded as meat eaters and most of the fish caught in local waters is exported to Europe and Asia.
In order to promote the consumption of fish amongst Namibians, the Namibian Fish Consumption Promotion Trust was established in 2001. The aim of the trust is to make fish more accessible and affordable for Namibians.
The Namibia Fish Consumption Promotion Trust embarked on a public education road show in Ongwediva, Ondangwa, Oshakati, Oshikuku and Eenhana last month. The aim of the road show was to teach people about the value of adding fish to their diet and promoting the trust as well.
“Our mandate is to promote fish and impart skills on how to cook fish to all fellow Namibians. Staying true to this, as part of our marketing activities for 2012, we embarked on a road show journey in April.
“We travelled to various towns and villages in the north, telling people about the nutritional value of fish, entertaining crowds of school children with music, dance and a drama piece,” said Charlene Hartung from the Namibia Fish Consumption Promotion Trust.
The Namibia Fish Consumption Promotion Trust is awarded an annual quota from the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources. The quota enables the trust to catch horse mackerel and hake and sell it at a discounted price to the public at large.
Hartung said that: “As part of our annual promotion, we sell in towns where we do not have shops from time to time, to ensure that those people also have access to fish. The trust has 10 shops across Namibia, we also have a restaurant in Ongwediva and a take-away in Swakopmund.”
Although fish consumption in the country has traditionally been considered low, the Namibia Fish Consumption Promotion Trust believes that the demand for fish is very high; especially in the rural areas.
“Fish is a reasonably priced food source, which supplies all the minerals and vitamins your body needs and it can be cooked in various ways,” said Hartung.
The Fish Consumption Promotion Trust inaugurated its first fish shop in the Ohangwena region in April this year and also donated fish to the Katutura Old Age Home.

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