Namibia's Fisheries Minister Albert Kawana has announced that the country will auction off its fishing quotas on an open market to raise funds to fight Covid-19.

The government intends to auction off quotas for three fish species – horse markerel, hake and monk.

The minister cited the need for medicine and medical equipment as the reason the government wanted to raise money.

Fishing is Namibia's third-biggest earner after mining and agriculture, Reuters reports, adding that the proposed auction would be the first of its kind in the country.

A local radio station has however reported that the health minister was surprised by the reason given to sell the fishing quotas:

Health minister Dr. Kalumbi Shangula and his executive director Ben Nangombe were surprised by Namibia’s sudden need for medicine and medical equipment which was used by Fisheries Minister Dr Albert Kawana as a reason to sell fishing quotes. pic.twitter.com/dRcLzcQ2Tc
— Eagle FM Namibia (@EagleFMNam) August 10, 2020