A new state-of-the-art horse mackerel processing factory has opened at Walvis Bay in Namibia.
The N$160m (US$14.3m) modern processing plant is said to have a blast freezing capacity of 300 tonnes per 24 hours, according to New Era.
The processing plant is owned by Gendev Group Namibia shareholders, who include Camoposatu Investment and Vernier Investment.
The facility has created at least 700 jobs for Namibians, allowing fish to be processed onshore instead of the usual offshore processing.
Speaking at the official opening of the factory, the Minister of Fisheries and Marine Resources, Bernard Esau applauded the company for establishing the facility and for their decision to establish a land based processing plant.
“When products are processed on land, more labour is needed, leading to job creation as compared to processing abroad or at sea whereby only a few people are required. That is why we are strongly urging the fishing industry to venture into land based processing, as it not only creates jobs, but adds value to Namibia’s resources
“We want to see more value addition and job creations in the fishing industry. Horse mackerel is allocated the largest quota, yet the hake industry employs more people. We must maximise our resources and create 30,000 extra jobs, as the horse mackerel fishery has the capacity to do so”, said Mr Esau.
