Staff Writer
The government aims to raise the fisheries sector’s contribution to gross domestic product from N$10.4 billion to N$10.7 billion by 2030 under the sixth National Development Plan (NDP6).
Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform Inge Zaamwani said NDP6 sets clear targets for the fisheries and aquatic resources sub-sector.
These include rebuilding fish biomass to maximum sustainable yield, reducing illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, increasing value addition, and expanding employment.
She said meeting these targets requires close cooperation between government and industry.
She added that fishing rights holders play a central role in meeting national goals linked to economic growth, job creation, tax compliance and investment. Zaamwani said the minister of finance has asked for input on the sector’s contribution to revenue generation for 2026.
Zaamwani called on rights holders to take a more active role in rebuilding fish stocks, strengthening corporate governance and contributing to national targets under NDP6.
Addressing fishing industry stakeholders in Lüderitz, she said the government remains committed to managing fisheries and marine resources sustainably for the benefit of current and future generations.
She said stock assessment surveys by ministry scientists show that several key fish stocks remain under pressure. This requires a cautious, science-based approach to harvesting. She warned that overexploitation could lead to stock depletion, job losses and weaker economic returns for coastal towns such as Lüderitz.
To support sustainable management, Zaamwani said the Fisheries Scorecard is expected to be implemented in 2026.
The system will assess performance beyond catch volumes, including compliance, job creation, local procurement and governance. She said the scorecard will distinguish genuine development partners from those that fail to meet required standards.
The ministry is also strengthening bycatch management and surveillance to curb IUU fishing.
Zaamwani said Namibia is in the final stages of ratifying the World Trade Organization Fishing Protocol to improve cooperation with other countries in tackling illegal fishing.
On stock recovery, she said the pilchard stock is showing marginal signs of improvement after years of restrictive management. A precautionary total allowable catch was approved for the 2025 season to test recovery under controlled conditions. She stressed that this does not mean the fishery has fully reopened.
Zaamwani also raised concerns about governance and beneficiation within some right-holding companies. She said certain firms obtained fishing rights using the names of marginalised communities, only to exclude them from decision-making and dividend benefits. She described the practice as unethical and said it will not be tolerated.
She said the Fisheries Scorecard will expose governance failures and that corrective action will follow.
Zaamwani also urged companies to diversify export markets to reduce reliance on single destinations. She encouraged investment in aquaculture and mariculture to support food security, job creation and economic growth, while easing pressure on wild fish stocks.
