Marine resources are in stormy waters

Insufficient human resources, high staff turnover and a growing number of more experienced personnel nearing retirement are undermining the fisheries and marine resources ministry's ability to protect and sustainably manage Namibia's marine and inland fisheries.Adding to the challenge are outdated equipment, vehicles that remain idle, research vessels that cannot go to sea, only one operational aircraft and an ineffective Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) that can be bypassed by illegal vessels.These are the turbulent waters in which Namibia’s marine and inland fishery resources must operate, be successfully monitored and managed sustainably, according to a report by the parliamentary standing committee on agriculture, environment, and natural resources.The committee warns in the report that many more positions should be created within the staffing structure, with a knowledge-based system needed to retain organizational memory, as well as skills and experience.The report also highlights the outdated monitoring equipment that needs to be updated, including patrol vehicles, with some officers stating that the current vehicles can no longer even catch up to more modern ones during patrols when suspects flee.Illegal activities None of the fisheries and marine resources' vehicles at Walvis Bay are operational, meaning that fish inspectors are not visible along the coast and rivers. Illegal fishing thrives in areas such as the Fish River, where large quantities of fish are harvested and transported with little to no tracking to markets, including those in Angola.Sacks of mussels and other marine resources are collected along the coast in areas like Henties Bay, as people know there are no fish inspectors present. Furthermore, there are limited offices nationwide to help curb illegal fishing.Ministry officials claim that significant attention is given to protecting marine resources, but limited resources are available for inland fisheries.The Vessel Monitoring System is also not very effective, as it can be detected by illegal vessels. Additionally, the system is only functional for Namibian vessels equipped with the necessary VMS hardware.The hope is to acquire drones and modern equipment to strengthen existing measures. The ministry's two research vessels at Walvis Bay are also not always fully operational for research when and if needed.Steep costs Operational costs for patrol boats are also extremely high. A patrol from Walvis Bay to the mouth of the Orange River, back to the border between Angola and Namibia, and to the mouth of the Kunene River, returning to Walvis Bay, costs between N$500 000 and N$800 000 per patrol.The ideal situation is at least 144 days, excluding unforeseen circumstances, out of the 365 days per year at sea for effective monitoring. However, Namibia's patrol vessels spend only about 88 days at sea due to the high costs involved.Only one of the ministry's two aircraft is fully operational due to a faulty maritime radar, which makes it unsuitable for sea patrols. The Cessna 406 was manufactured in 1985 and purchased from France in 1993. Currently, it cannot be used for sea patrols as its movements cannot be tracked.The manufacturer has since closed its doors, and purchasing the radar from other suppliers will cost the ministry about N$23 million. Patrol aircraft can land anywhere on a beach, making it easier to carry out arrests quickly.However, due to financial constraints, this has not been possible. A vessel can take up to a day or more to reach an illegal ship, while a helicopter could do so in just an hour or two. The committee suggests acquiring a helicopter and building a fleet base at the mouth of the Kunene River, as Walvis Bay is too far.Impact on marine lifeReferring to oil and diamond mining activities, marine biologists at the ministry's office in Lüderitz acknowledge the negative impact they have on marine resources. Equipment used for oil and mineral exploration interferes with the frequencies used by marine animals to communicate, especially when it comes into high-impact contact with the seafloor or other marine elements.This seismic activity causes whales and dolphins to pick up waves and mixed signals, leading them to end up on the wrong side of the ocean in shallow waters, where they become stranded and unable to swim back to deeper waters.Depleted fish stocksIn the Southern African Development Community (SADC), Namibia, along with Angola and South Africa, is part of the Benguela Current Commission, which takes a coordinated approach to the long-term conservation, protection, rehabilitation, and sustainable use of the ecosystem of the current.However, the committee states that neighbouring countries do not follow the same approach with moratoriums and season closures. It points out that a closed season for fish species in one country should be applied bilaterally in other countries as part of the commission to help restore resources.Namibia has reduced its sardine quota from 90 000 tons to zero due to unsustainable fishing practices.According to the committee, other countries, however, continue to fish for sardines, which has significantly depleted the stock, leaving almost nothing in Namibian waters.– henriette@republikein.com.na

Marine resources are in stormy waters

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Namibian Sun 2025-04-02

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Marine resources are in stormy waters

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Namibian Sun 2025-04-02

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