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FISHING companies, leaders and workers who ignore the laws of the country will be dealt with harshly, Fisheries and Marine Resources Minister Bernhard Esau warned the industry on Friday in Walvis Bay. He said no late payments of quota fees would be accepted and no exceptions would be made. Late payments would incur a 12% penalty fee, as set out in a circular sent out last year. ?Right holders who do not want to adhere to these provisions will leave the ministry with no alternative but to strictly enforce the law,? said Esau. He said in the past the ministry did allow companies to pay their arrears in instalments. ?This has however not delivered the desired results.? As for by-catch fees and fund levies, Esau said right holders owed the government a ?substantial amount of money?, which resulted in less state revenue and negatively affected the functions of the ministry. ?Right holders cannot expect to benefit from natural resources and default on their commitment to pay statutory fees, and not face the consequences,? said Esau. ?Continuing with this culture of non-payment leaves me with no choice but to enforce the punitive measures to stop this behaviour.? According to him, a revenue collection and debtors management system has been put in place. This system will become next month and will enable the ministry to bill right holders automatically .
