Renthia Kaimbi
As Namibia continues to battle illegal fishing in its Exclusive Economic Zone, chief executive officer of the Fisheries Observer Agency, Stanley Ndara, says the country must adopt artificial intelligence to strengthen monitoring, but he warns against losing control over critical systems.
Ndara said AI can play a key role in combating illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing. He stressed that technology alone is not enough without strong governance.
“However, there is a caveat to this, and it relates to AI governance and trust,” Ndara warned in an interview with the Windhoek Observer.
Namibia currently uses monitoring, control, and surveillance measures, such as vessel monitoring systems, automatic identification systems on fishing vessels, sea patrols, and observer programs.
These tools help manage deep-water activities. Yet gaps remain, often linked to limited funding.
The call to strengthen maritime security through technology gained attention at the Ocean Economy Conference in Cape Town in May 2024.
Cobus Valentine of Global Command and Control Technologies urged maritime nations to integrate AI into monitoring systems.
Ndara supports this approach. He sees AI as a tool that can improve tracking and data analysis, helping authorities detect suspicious activity faster.
He also highlighted the role of regional cooperation. He pointed to the SADC Monitoring Control and Surveillance Coordination Centre in Maputo as an important platform.
“The SADC Monitoring Control and Surveillance Coordination Centre in Maputo plays a key role in promoting such initiatives, and Namibia should take advantage of the opportunities presented by this regional fisheries body.”
He said partnerships can help Namibia align with global trends and strengthen protection of marine resources.
At the same time, Ndara warned about dependence on foreign-owned systems.
“If the core systems are owned or managed by a major US technology company or large commercial firm, it raises important questions regarding sovereignty,” he states.
“These include the location of data storage, who has ultimate control over the algorithms, and the potential impact of political or commercial influences.”
Ndara said Namibia must avoid arrangements that centralise control or monetise national data.
“The management of data and operational choices should remain within the government.”
He urged the government to invest in electronic monitoring systems and AI-driven technologies. He also recommended expanding maritime radar and oil detection systems to address illegal activities that threaten marine ecosystems.
“The Namibian government should allocate resources towards expanding maritime radar capabilities and oil detection systems to combat illegal activities threatening marine ecosystems.”
Ndara said AI must be embedded in strong institutions.
“While AI is a significant tool, its effectiveness depends on being integrated within reliable institutional frameworks that support sovereignty instead of fostering dependency,” he concluded, adding that the issue should receive greater attention in fisheries governance discussions in Namibia.
