Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources
Introduction
Namibia has one of the most productive fishing grounds in the world. This productivity results from the Benguela current system. This is an eastern boundary current upwelling system, which supports rich populations of demersal and pelagic fish. However, the number of stocks is relatively low, likely due to large variations in environmental conditions. These variations cause fluctuations in landings, sometimes considerable. The mission of the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources (MFMR) is to strengthen Namibia’s position as a leading fishing nation and contribute towards the achievement of the country’s economic, social and conservation goals for the benefit of all Namibians.
The main objectives the ministry has set to achieve its mission are to:
1. promote and regulate the optimal sustainable utilisation of living marine resources within the code of conserving marine ecosystems;
2. establish conducive environment in which the fishing industry can prosper and derive optimal income from marine resources;
3. further Namibia’s interest within the international fishing sector;
4. provide professional, responsive and customer focused services;
5. deliver services efficiently and effectively providing best value for money;
6. continuously invest in human resource development.
The ministry consists of three directorates, one subdivision, and is responsible for two parastatals. Before 1998 the ministry was divided into two directorates, the Directorate of Resource Management responsible for research activities, and the Directorate of Operations in charge of operations and administration. In 1998, the Directorate for Policy, Planning and Economics was created. The functions of the different parts of the ministry are as follows:
Resource Management exists to provide information and advice needed to manage the sustainable utilisation and conservation of living aquatic resources. The main objectives of the directorate are to:
1. provide advice to enable total allowable catches (TACs) to be determined;
2. provide advice so that policy on harvesting activity and techniques can be formulated; and
3. provide advice on the inter-relationship of the environment and the impact this has on fish stocks.
This directorate has the responsibility of monitoring, control and surveillance. That entails regulating fisheries sector activity within the 200 nautical mile exclusive economic zone (EEZ). The main objectives are to:
1.
restrict fishing activity to those entitled to do so;
2.
ensure that fishing activity is conducted within legal and
administrative guidelines; and
3. ensure that revenue from landings is correctly calculated.
The purpose of the Directorate of Policy, Planning and Economics is to manage the development of the fisheries sector both nationally and internationally. The main objectives are to:
1.
ensure that fisheries activity contributes to Namibia’s
socio-economic development goals;
2. create a conducive environment in which the fisheries sector can grow to its full potential; and
3. ensure that Namibia is properly represented internationally and that national fisheries interests are protected; administer fisheries legislation and regulations; manage the collection of fees generated by fishing activities; manage the collection and preparation of information and fishery statistics.
The Southern African Development Community (SADC) includes six coastal countries: Angola, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa and Tanzania. The co-ordination of the sector for marine fisheries and resources lies in the hands of Namibia, under the auspices of the MFMR. The ministry established the SADC sector co-ordinating unit, for the task of providing the region with leadership and guidance in the formulation, evaluation, management and implementation of specific policies, programmes and projects for the development of the sector.
The National Fishing Corporation of Namibia Ltd., better known as Fishcor, is fully owned by the Namibian government.
Fishcor’s long term aims are to:
1. be the leading fishing and fish-processing group in southern Africa within the next 10 years;
2. produce 100% value-added products for the local and export market and thereby to maximise profitability and job-creation; and
3. fully develop its human resources through training and sponsorship with the aim of becoming a group which is not reliant on expatriate skills.
The Namibian Maritime and Fisheries Institute (NAMFI) is a rapidly developing maritime training institution with the main aim to be the leading fisheries training institute in the SADC region. Also, to satisfy the need of individuals, government, fisheries and private sector by providing quality training in the maritime and fisheries field regionally. NAMFI’s values are to be transparent, versatile and to act with integrity. Under the leadership of the Board of Trustees, NAMFI strives to encourage contributions, promote openness and engender commitment for effectiveness.
The fisheries sector of Namibia and the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources have come a long way since 1990. At independence, Namibia’s fish resources were subject to enormous fishing pressure from distant water fleets of foreign countries, and Namibian participation in the sector was the preserve of a privileged few.
Since independence, Namibia has put in place three key strategies in fisheries policy:
Stock rebuilding: to rebuild stocks depleted by overfishing before independence.
Namibianisation: to redress the pre-independence foreign domination of the fisheries
sector through integrating the fisheries sector into the Namibian economy and society
so that the jobs and incomes generated from rebuilt stocks are secured by Namibians.
Empowerment: to ensure that the stranglehold on Namibian participation in the
fisheries sector by a small section of the Namibian population at independence is not
perpetuated, and to ensure that there is increasingly broad and balanced participation
in the sector by Namibians of all backgrounds.
The central institution in the implementation of these strategies is the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources. Newly established in 1991, the ministry has had to build almost from scratch the full range of research and surveillance programmes that are the basic components of any fisheries administration, and the legal and regulatory framework to govern the fisheries sector.
After ten years, much progress has been made in implementing these strategies. Namibia is considered a model in fisheries management, using the latest management techniques to create a environment that has resulted in a healthy industry – an industry that pays its fair share for the utilisation of Namibia’s marine resources; the fisheries sector has been successfully integrated with the rest of the Namibian economy, and is now a key contributor to the economic future of all Namibians; and there is increasingly broad and balanced participation in the sector by Namibians of all backgrounds.
The following sections describe some of the major developments in the fishing sector and achievements in fisheries by the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources and other government agencies since 1990.
Since independence, the fisheries sector has been one of the main contributors to economic growth in Namibia. The value of fish production has grown from N$500 million in 1991 to over N$2 200 million in 1998. This growth has been due to:
1. the higher yields that have been available as some stocks have been rebuilt;
2. strong demand for Namibian fish products on a world market in which there are increasing shortages of fish products because of over-exploitation of fish stocks in many other parts of the world;
3. good progress in value adding;
4. the successful development of some new higher value fisheries such as the deepwater fisheries for orange roughy and tuna fishing;
5. exchange rate movements.
Because of this performance the fisheries
sector, (including fishing and processing) was the second largest
sector in the Namibian economy behind mining in terms of both the
contribution to GDP and export earnings in 1998. The fisheries
contribution to GDP has grown from 5.0% in 1991 to 10.1% in 1998.
At this rate, the sector is well placed to meet the primary
sectoral NDP1 target of contributing 11.0% to GDP by the year
2001. A feature of the pattern of the growth of the sector is
that because of the successful development of value added fish
processing, the contribution of the fish processing sector to GDP
is higher than the contribution of fishing as shown in Table 1.
Table 1: Fisheries contribution to GDP,
1990-1998
|
1990 |
1991 |
1992 |
1993 |
1994 |
1995 |
1996 |
1997 |
1998 |
| Fishing |
2.3% |
2.9% |
3.4% |
3.8% |
3.7% |
3.7% |
4.0% |
3.8% |
4.2% |
| Processing |
3.1% |
2.1% |
3.2% |
4.6% |
5.3% |
5.4% |
3.0% |
4.0% |
5.9% |
| Total
Fish |
5.4% |
5.0% |
6.6% |
8.4% |
9.0% |
9.0% |
7.0% |
7.8% |
10.1% |
In fact, Namibia is one of the few major fishing nations that earns more income and creates more jobs from processing fish, than from catching fish. One indicator of the progress in adding value through fish processing is that the number of whitefish processing plants has grown from zero in 1991 to thirteen in 1998, creating 3 500 jobs. This success was due to the implementation of policies such as the requirement for onshore processing of hake.
On the basis of current knowledge of the structure of the major fish stocks, including the juvenile stocks that will become available for fishing in 1999 and 2000, the present strong pattern of economic growth throughout most of the fisheries sector is expected to continue in the medium term. Despite the improvement in most stocks there is still room for further improvement in stocks that would support higher catches. The outlook for international markets for Namibian fish products is also generally highly positive, and with further progress in value adding, Namibia should continue to earn increasing returns for most of its fish products.
NDP1 Targets
1. Fishing and fish processing contribution to GDP to rise from 7.7% in 1994 to 11% by 2000
2. Increase fishing and fish processing employment by 9,000 to 21,000 by 2000
3. Achieve 50% onshore processing of hake by the year 2000
NDP1 Achievements
1. Fishing and fish processing contribution to GDP rose to 10,1% in 1998, well on the way to achieving the target contribution
2. Fishing and fish processing employment reached 15 000 in 1998. Further substantial employment gains are expected in the medium term; whether the target of 21 000 by 2001 is reached depends largely on progress in pilchard canning, where the stock has not yet recovered from the effects of adverse marine environmental conditions.
3. 50% onshore processing of hake was achieved in 1997; in 1998, 58% of hake landings were processed onshore.
Before
independence fishing in Namibian waters was dominated by foreign
interests, often using factory trawlers which processed catches
at sea and even landed them in foreign ports generating little
real benefit for Namibia. Namibianisation has been a key element
of the government’s fisheries policy since independence to
redress this situation. It is pursued through preferences in the
granting of rights and allocation of quotas for Namibian
controlled companies, and in the setting of differential levels
of quota fees for Namibian vessels. The Namibianisation strategy
also recognises the importance of attracting foreign investment
through joint ventures. These policies have been highly
successful in securing real economic gains for Namibians from
fisheries development while continuing to attract the flow of
foreign capital, skills and market access necessary for rapid
development of the sector. The achievements can be measured in
terms of progress in Namibianisation of businesses in the sector,
the fleet and fishing vessel crews as described below.
Of the 141 businesses or individuals holding rights for fishing in Namibia currently, 138 are majority controlled by Namibians, and two of the foreign controlled companies are listed on the Namibian stock exchange or are subsidiaries of companies listed on the Namibian stock exchange as part of a strategy to Namibianise. This result has been achieved in two main ways. Firstly, almost all the major companies that were foreign owned at independence have been taken over by Namibian investors, especially Namibian pension and insurance funds, in order to take advantage of the preference to Namibian controlled companies in the allocation of quotas and rights and the preferential quota fees for Namibian vessels. Secondly, many new businesses have entered the sector since Independence, all of them Namibian controlled, most of them wholly Namibian owned. At the same time, many new foreign investors have continued to find valuable opportunities for investment in the sector, especially as the partners of Namibian companies in joint ventures.
The main fisheries in Namibia are:
1. the demersal fishery -- catches of demersal species especially hake, monk, kingklip and sole make up the most valuable fishery in Namibia. Currently hake is the only quota-restricted species in this fishery. Freezer and wet fish bottom trawlers and longliners fish hake;
2. the midwater fishery -- is targeting horse mackerel. This fish is caught by both the midwater trawlers and the purse seine vessels of the pelagic fishery;
3. the purse seine fishery -- this fishery targets pilchard and juvenile horse mackerel with purse seine nets. All vessels are wet boats that hold the unsorted fish in large holding tanks, which are pumped ashore;
4. the deep-water fishery -- this fishery is targeting orange roughy and alfonsino;
5. the tuna fishery targets albacore, big-eye, yellow-fin and skipjack using longlining and pole and line methods;
6. the rock lobster fishery -- is based in Lüderitz on small vessels using carrier vessels to bring the live lobster ashore every day. The season is short running from around November to March;
7. the crab fishery -- is a small fishery that uses traps to catch deep-sea crab, this fishery operates throughout the whole year.
At a time where most of the world’s fisheries are characterised by overexploitation, Namibia is at the forefront of managing its fisheries in a sustainable manner. The fishing industry is one of the pillars of the Namibian economy, contributing over 10% to gross domestic product (GDP) in 1998; a contribution that is expected to increase significantly as Namibia moves into the new millennium.
Progress in
Namibianisation in terms of control of quotas of the major
species is set out in table 2. The figures show that the Namibian
share has increased dramatically since independence in all the
major species.
As control of the major
companies in the sector has been increasingly taken over by
Namibians who have been keen to invest in their own vessels, and
to see their vessels flying the Namibian flag, the fleet fishing
in Namibia has become very dominantly made up of Namibian
registered vessels. The proportion of Namibian vessels has
increased from 50.5% in 1991 to 83.8% in 1998. This means that
the crew of the vessels are covered by Namibian immigration and
labour laws and foreign crew can only be hired in accordance with
work permits. Foreign vessels may only fish in Namibia under
charter to a Namibian right holder. There are no quotas or
licences made available to foreign vessels through agreements or
direct licensing. Most of the foreign vessels being used by
Namibian right holders are Russian vessels fishing for horse
mackerel. Figure 3 shows how the fleet has become increasingly
Namibian since independence.
Table 2: Some indicators of
Namibianisation performance
Quotas
|
Effective
Namibian Share of control of Quotas
|
|
| |
1989 |
1999 |
Hake
|
16.5% |
71.7% |
| Horse
Mackerel |
13.7% |
72.6% |
| Pilchard |
37.2% |
82.2% |
Vessels
|
Namibian
Vessels as Proportion of Licensed Fleet
|
|
| |
1991 |
1998 |
| |
50.5% |
83.8% |
Crews
|
Proportion
of Namibian Crew
|
|
| |
1994 |
1998 |
| |
41.5% |
66.0% |
As the proportion of Namibian vessels in
the fleet increases, more jobs for Namibians have been created
because of the application of the work permit arrangements of the
Ministry of Home Affairs which ensure that jobs on Namibian
vessels are filled by Namibians unless trained Namibians are not
available. The success of the Namibian Fisheries and Maritime
Institute has now resulted in a large increase in the number of
trained Namibian officers and crew, and the proportion of
Namibian crew consequently has increased from 42% in 1994, to 66%
in 1998, with most of the remaining foreign crew being on the
Russian midwater trawlers.
NDP1 Targets
80% Namibianisation of the fishing fleet should be achieved by the year 2000 (excluding mid-trawlers);
80% Namibianisation of crew should be achieved by the year 2000 (excluding mid-water trawlers);
NDP1 Achievements
80% Namibianisaion of the fishing fleet excluding midwater trawlers achieved in 1996, reaching 92.8% in 1998
80% Namibianisation of crews of fishing vessels excluding midwater trawlers achieved in 1997, reaching 85% in 1998
Overall, further good progress in Namibianisation in 1999 and 2000 is expected.
The strategy of empowerment of those from
groups that were previously excluded from real participation in
the fisheries sector is pursued by preferences in the granting of
rights and allocation of quotas. Monitoring progress in
empowerment in any objective way is not easy because the issue is
multi-faceted and there are a number of qualitative aspects. An
indication of the extent of transformation of the sector can be
seen, however, in the pattern of introduction of new right
holders. Of the current 141 separate right holders in the
Namibian fisheries sector, (some of these hold multiple rights),
seventy-eight, or slightly over half, are new companies who have
entered the sector since independence. In addition, many of the
larger, older established companies now have new shareholding
drawn from a much broader range of Namibians either directly as
individual shareholders or indirectly through investments by
pension and insurance funds representing many Namibian workers
and small savers. This progress reflects the continuing
commitment to empowerment in the fisheries sector. The progress
to date is clear, but there is a concern that this progress could
be undermined by shareholders in companies that have been given
rights for empowerment reasons but are selling these rights.
At independence, fish consumption was estimated at 4 kg per person annually. This was one of the lowest levels in the world among fish-producing nations; well below the global average of 13-14 kg, and the average consumption level for sub-Saharan Africa at that time of 9 kg per head. Since 1990, great progress has been made in making fish available throughout Namibia, both by the private sector, involved in catching and marketing fish, and by the government through campaigns and programmes to make fish more available and to encourage Namibians to eat more fish. As one part of this approach, the government has removed all quota fees on horse mackerel supplied to the Namibian market. These efforts are already yielding good results. Fish consumption was estimated in 1996 as having doubled since independence to 8-9kg per person annually.
The single greatest challenge facing any fisheries administration is to conserve fish stocks, because healthy fish stocks support investment, jobs and income growth. Namibia faced the particular challenge that all of its major stocks were depleted by overfishing before independence, especially the offshore stocks that were over-exploited by large foreign factory trawler fleets.
| The Namibian government gave early priority to stopping overfishing. A system of total allowable catches (TACs) was established for all major stocks, with quotas allocated to those companies and individuals granted fishing rights. Tight monitoring ensured that right holders did not exceed their quotas and surveillance patrol operations deterred poachers. This led to large reductions in catches compared to those taken by uncontrolled fishing before independence and stocks began to recover quickly. This allowed increasing levels of TACs to be set and total catches rose from 408 000 mts in 1990 to 789 000 mts in 1993. From 1994, however, a sustained period of extremely adverse environmental conditions (which came to be known in Namibia as the “drought under the sea”) caused a decline in all stocks. As a result the government had to make some very difficult decisions to cut catches to preserve adult fish stocks and the future livelihoods of those who depend on them, especially in 1996 and 1997. By 1998, stronger stocks of young fish of most species were seen to be maturing and becoming available for the fishing industry, and catches again began to rise. This broad improvement in stocks was continuing through 1999 and is expected to continue into 2000. |
Since 1990, Namibia has put in place a completely new, modern legal and regulatory framework for fisheries management. This framework has drawn wide praise both nationally and internationally (in 1996, a World Bank report described Namibia’s approach to fisheries management as “in many respects, exemplary”).
The major achievements in establishing this framework have been:
At the national level:
1. Passing in 1990 by the National Assembly of the Territorial Sea and Exclusive Economic Act as only the third piece of legislation enacted by the new Assembly establishing Namibia’s sovereign rights over marine resource in its waters;
2. Adoption in 1991 by the National Assembly of a White Paper on Fisheries Policy titled “Towards Responsible Development of the Fisheries Sector”;
3. Preparation of a new Sea Fisheries Act which came into force in 1992 implementing many of the policies set out in the White Paper;
4. Promulgation of the Sea Fisheries Regulations in 1993 detailing many of the provisions of the new Sea Fisheries Act;
5. Publication of a Policy Statement on Fishing Rights and Quotas in 1993, setting out details of the implementation of the fisheries management regime including the criteria for terms of rights;
6. Adoption in 1996 by the National Assembly of a White Paper on Inland Fisheries Policy which emphasises the importance of the involvement of communities in inland fisheries management;
7. Preparation of a Draft Inland Fisheries Bill to implement the White Paper, after extensive consultation with communities involved;
8. Completion of a study on Aquaculture Development, and the subsequent preparation of a Draft White Paper on Aquaculture Policy and a Draft Aquaculture Bill, which are now in the final stages of preparation;
9. Preparation of a new draft Sea Fisheries Act to take account of new developments in international law relating to fishing, particularly the responsibility of states to control fishing by their nationals and their vessels on the high seas;
10. And at the international level
11. Acceptance by Namibia of the FAO Compliance Agreement and ratification by Namibia of the UN Fish Stocks Agreement; in both cases Namibia being among the first group of nations in the world to take these steps;
12. Approval by the National Assembly of ratification of the Convention for the Commission on Antarctic Marine Living Resources which is to see Namibia become a member of that Commission;
13. Signature by Namibia of the Convention establishing the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tuna following which Namibia will become a member of this Commission; and
14. The initiating by Namibia of the establishment of the South East Atlantic Fisheries Organisation in accordance with the new UN Fish Stocks Agreement.
The rapid development of a comprehensive fisheries management regime by Namibia through these steps has established the country as one of the leading nations, especially among developing nations, in accepting the responsibilities under international law relating to fisheries.
The Directorate of Operations is responsible for monitoring, control and surveillance. The record of the directorate in ensuring compliance with Namibia’s fisheries laws since independence has been outstanding. Experience around the world in the implementation of EEZs had shown that there can be no substance to the apparent exercise of jurisdiction if control can not be projected over operations in the EEZ. Already many other small coastal states had found it impossible to effectively control such operations in their EEZs, and in some cases had faced little real alternative than to sanction the continuation of the foreign operations through licensing arrangements that did not leave them in real control. In Namibia’s case, if those vessels had been able to continue to fish illegally with impunity, then Namibia would not have been able to discharge its obligations to ensure the sustainability of the resources nor to reap the gains that sustainable development of the resources could offer to Namibia. During 1990 and 1991, the Namibian government acted swiftly against foreign poachers. Eleven high-cost trawlers were arrested, successfully prosecuted and confiscated by the Namibian courts. There were a few further incidents of poaching after this but similarly effective enforcement has effectively deterred any systematic illegal fishing to a point where the available information suggests that illegal fishing has been almost completely eliminated.
Today, an integrated programme of inspection and patrol at sea, on land and in the air ensures continuing compliance with Namibia’s fisheries laws. The major features of the programme that have been put in place are:
1. Virtually complete coverage of vessels by an onboard observer programme which serves both to ensure compliance and to collect scientific data. The programme is widely recognised as being among the strongest and most effective in the world. When the new Sea Fisheries Act comes into force, the programme will be placed under a parastatal observer agency;
2. Systematic sea patrols, initially aimed at deterring unlicensed foreign vessels from stealing fish from Namibia, but now more largely directed at ensuring compliance with fishing conditions by licensed vessels through regular at-sea inspections;
3. Air patrols to detect unlicensed fishing vessels and monitor the movement and operations of the licensed fleet;
4. Complete monitoring of all landings onshore by inspectors to ensure that quota limits and fee payments are complied;
5. Shore patrols to ensure compliance by both recreational and commercial fishers with conservation measures for inshore resources.
The Directorate of Resource Management is responsible for fisheries and marine scientific research. Successful fisheries management has to be based on scientific research. This is not an easy task. Seeking to understand the life history, behaviour, and patterns of abundance of creatures that can not be seen beneath the water continues to be difficult, expensive and subject to uncertainty. Even countries with strong, established research capacities continue to have difficulty in translating that research effort into successful management decisions. But there is no choice. Modern industrial fishing methods can have deep impacts on fish stocks in a relatively short period. To secure the economic gains that a modern fishing industry can bring and make them sustainable, decisions about the operations of that industry have to be based on a sound knowledge of the fish stocks and how they will be affected when they are fished. In Namibia, the capacity to generate the data on which stock management advice can be based and the capacity to produce such advice has increased dramatically since independence.
Systematic surveys and analyses are undertaken for all major stocks to provide the necessary basis for advice on stock management. Sophisticated programmes to monitor the marine environment using both satellite imagery and at-sea sampling provide up-to-date reports on the state of the marine environment.
A feature of the directorate’s work in research on commercially harvested resources has been the commitment to involve industry in the research of stocks. The underlying philosophy for this approach is that co-ownership by industry of research activities and close co-operation between industry and scientists builds up trust in recommendations made. Already, the enhanced mutual understanding about the state of stocks is contributing greatly towards improved management, and even greater benefits in this area are expected in future.
The research staff complement establishment has grown from about seven researchers and a few technical research personnel to about seventy persons with tertiary education. In terms of training, the directorate has succeeded in creating in-house training in the form of seminars and workshops as well as supporting staff to obtain further degrees. Over the years scientific personnel have been assisted in obtaining further degrees numbering more than twenty up to the masters level and seven doctoral degrees.
Through training and capacity building, by way of in-house and other training opportunities, the directorate succeeded in creating the capacity amongst its own staff, to take responsibility for all the research and data processing needed, to generate the management advise to the ministry and the Sea Fisheries Advisory Council. The only area where outside assistance is still needed, is in the field of very advanced mathematical modelling of fish populations. In this field, in spite of it being highly specialised, great advances are, however, being made and the directorate is already self sufficient in most of its needs. Outside expertise is only needed in the development of new, highly sophisticated models.
A small but competent freshwater fisheries research programme monitors stocks in rivers and dams as a basis for freshwater fisheries management; and undertakes stocking of freshwater bodies as required.
In 1999, a new third directorate was established in the ministry to bring together and strengthen the functions of policy analysis, economics, statistics, information systems, and fisheries administration (licensing). This development is aimed at strengthening the ministry’s capacity to manage an increasingly large, complex and sophisticated fisheries sector.
Co-operation in fisheries with other states, especially in the SADC region, has been a priority of the government since independence. In 1991, the SADC Council of Ministers allocated the task of co-ordination of the Sector for Marine Fisheries and Resources to Namibia. To meet this responsibility, the ministry established the SADC Sector Co-ordinating Unit within the ministry, with the task of providing leadership and guidance in the formulation, evaluation, management and implementation of policies, programmes and projects for the Marine Fisheries and Resources Sector. The unit has organised a series of consultations and training programmes based on the assessed needs of the region, and developed a portfolio of projects based on regional needs. The progress of this work will be greatly advanced with the planned implementation in 1999 of regional projects relating to monitoring, control and surveillance; and information system development.
Namibian vessels are increasingly active in waters outside the Namibian EEZ, i.e. waters of other countries and the high seas. This necessitates a broadening of focus from being purely a coastal state protecting its resources from potential illegal foreign fishing and developing its local industry to recognising and facilitating the legitimate interests of the Namibian industry in operating elsewhere, while ensuring that the interests of other countries are respected and international goals for the conservation of high seas resources are met. Several bodies that Namibia is a part of, have been established to serve regional and international obligations. The most important ones are briefly described below:
South
East Atlantic Fisheries Organisation (SEAFO)
The strategic importance of both the Walvis and Mid Atlantic Ridges to fishing within and outside Namibian waters has been a large component in encouraging the development of SEAFO and Namibia’s involvement. SEAFO is a new structure with expressions of interest from eleven countries to date including the coastal states of Angola; Namibia; South Africa; and the United Kingdom (representing St. Helena and it dependencies); and other distant water fishing nations. SEAFO is intended to be in the spirit of the United Nations Implementing Agreement, with the objective to ensure the long term conservation and sustainable use of the living marine resources in the convention area through the effective implementation of the SEAFO Convention.
Benguela
Environment Fisheries Interaction and Training Programme
(BENEFIT)
This
programme seeks to establish a research framework for biological
and oceanographic investigation of the entire Benguela Current
system, from South Africa to Angola. The principal focus of the
programme is on resources and resource management research in
support of the major fisheries of the three co-operating
countries.
The
Benguela Large Marine Ecosystem (BCLME)
This programme has been identified as a target of global significance following the recognition of the need to address ecosystems as a whole by United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED). UNCED established the Global Environment Facility (GEF) a funding source dedicated to the development of programmes and projects for a better understanding of the environment. The World Bank has provided a regional start-up GEF grant of US$500,000 for the development of this programme.
International
Commission For The Conservation Of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT)
Namibia, as
a fishing nation for the Atlantic tunas, is a relatively new
player in the management of these fish. Namibia attends the ICCAT
meetings and is contributing to its wider management initiatives.
Commission for the Conservation of
Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR)
Preparations are at an advanced stage for Namibia’s accession to this commission to contribute to the management and conservation of the Marine Resources of the Antarctica. This will also provide Namibian vessels with legal access to the resources of the area, which include toothfish and icefish.
The mission of the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources is to strengthen Namibia’s position as a leading fishing nation and contribute towards the achievement of the country’s economic, social and conservation goals for the benefit of all Namibians.
By working towards this mission, it is expected that by the year 2030, the people of Namibia will have a full understanding and appreciation of the major contribution fishing is making to the vitality of their country. Fishing grounds, that have been carefully managed over the years, are yielding plentiful harvests both for commercial and recreational use. Namibia is now synonymous with good and responsible fisheries management, and people travel from all over the world to study and learn from the Namibian experience.
Observation of the fishing industry in the year 2030 will reveal the following notable features:
1. Namibia’s living marine resources are utilised optimally and at a sustainable level. This has been accomplished through careful research on the marine ecosystem off Namibia’s coastline, and thoughtful implementation of bio-economic principles.
2. Namibians are benefiting from plentiful employment in the fisheries sector. Ownership of shares in fishing companies is widespread throughout the community, bringing prosperity to many Namibians.
3. A flourishing fishing industry, that is highly export oriented, contributes significantly to the growth of the overall Namibian economy, being the largest single contributor to GDP.
4. The fisheries sector is an integral part of the Namibian economy, having developed many linkages with other sectors, both backward and forward.
5. The wealth from owning the marine resources of Namibia is redistributed to the general public through fair and reasonable payments made by those who hold the rights to exploit the resource.
6. Namibian fish products are widely consumed within the local economy, supplying food that is healthy and highly nutritional.
7. High quality fish products from Namibia are enjoyed by consumers all over the world. Namibian fish products are widely acclaimed for their high standards and consumers are willing to pay a premium for Namibian fish.
8. Namibians are conscientious about the quality of their fish products and have rigourous quality control procedures in place to ensure that Namibian fish products meet the highest standards.
9. The Namibian Maritime and Fisheries Institute, along with other human resource development initiatives, has lead to a well educated and enlightened labour force in the fisheries sector, where virtually all positions are filled with able and knowledgeable Namibian nationals.
10. The Namibian fishing industry is actively operating in international waters to the benefit of Namibia and other SADC countries that have entered into joint ventures with Namibia. This activity takes place in such a way that the interests of other countries are respected and international goals for the conservation of high seas resources are met.
11. Within the SADC region, Namibia has lead the way in creating fisheries sectors that are bringing prosperity to coastal communities in the area. Investment capital from Namibia, as well as elsewhere, has helped build strong fishing industries within the region and fish products are traded freely among the member countries, giving everyone the possibility of a healthy and nutritious fish diet.
12. Recreational fishing is a prosperous industry. International tourists come to Namibia, not only for the desert and game parks, but also to take part in the renowned recreational fisheries of Namibia and to enjoy observing sea mammals in their natural environment.
13. Inland fisheries are an important source of food and income for many Namibians. The users and stakeholders of the inland resources have actively participated in managing these resources through a community based management structure. This has lead to inland fisheries that are exploited in a sustainable manner with improving returns to the communities that traditionally utilised these fisheries.
14. Aquaculture is a small but thriving industry. The unpolluted and nutrition rich waters of Namibia are highly productive for the rearing of oysters and other shellfish.
15. The Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources is managing Namibia’s living marine resources in an efficient and transparent manner. The ministry has created an institutional structure that is respondent to the needs of the fishing industry and, at the same time, encouraging new approaches and technology that are of benefit to Namibia. All illegal fishing has long since been abolished through sophisticated surveillance measures.
The new millennium offers many exciting opportunities, but at the same time many challenges must be addressed and responded to in a responsible manner. The main five challenges to be met by the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources in the new millennium are outlined below.
1. The yield from Namibian waters will increase over the next few years. At the same time there will be a yield contraction in many other important fisheries of the world. This will increase pressures from other countries, as they would like to harvest from the well managed Namibian fish stocks. As a consequence, the monitoring and surveillance role of the ministry will become even more demanding than it is today. The ministry must upgrade and improve current methods in order to maintain control of harvesting activities within Namibian waters.
2. As the ministry moves into the new millennium, quality control in food industries will become a critical issue. This has already begun, as is apparent from some of the food scares that have surfaced during the last few years. Countries, such as Britain and Belgium, have suffered greatly from inadequate quality control in their food sectors. As consumer awareness regarding fish quality increases, it becomes essential that Namibian fish products meet the highest standards. Plentiful harvests of fish are worthless if no consumers are willing to buy. The ministry must work diligently toward maintaining the clean waters of Namibia, and ensure that fish processing methods match the best possible. Namibia has a reputation of a clean and unspoilt country and must maintain that image at all costs.
3. Increased regional integration among the SADC countries brings another challenge to Namibia’s fisheries. Being the coordinator of the fisheries sector, Namibia must lead the way in building a good management regime within the region that takes account of the differences among the member countries. Many challenges must be overcome by the ministry regarding this issue. To name a few, monitoring and surveillance of the waters of all the SADC regions is an obvious one. Also, Namibia, having little experience with artisanal fisheries, must find ways to promote the development of that important sector within the SADC region. In addition, care must be taken that the proposed free trade area, and increased mobility of investment capital, benefits the less developed SADC members.
4. Today, there is great concern over the state of Namibia’s environment. Many experts predict significant long term environmental changes due to phenomena such as global warming and acid rain. The effects these changes will have on fish stocks are unknown. As a result, it is of utmost importance to monitor closely the status of the oceanic environment in order to take appropriate action if any environmental changes occur. The ministry must not let down its guard in this area, and continue developing and improving research on all aspects of the marine environment, using the latest knowledge and technology available.
5. The most crucial challenge of the coming millennium is human resource development. Without enlightened people and well educated work force, the other challenges of the new millennium cannot be tackled and overcome in a satisfactory way. The ministry must continue its good work in educating the people of Namibia and preparing them to work in all dimensions of the marine sector. No chain is stronger than its weakest link, and Namibia must ensure that all the links are as strong as possible.