Kelp Blue has recorded promising signs of ecosystem restoration in its kelp forests, potentially benefiting extinct fish species like sardines.
The company, founded in 2020, harvests kelp canopy year-round to produce alternative agri-food, bio-stimulant, and textile products at the world’s first large-scale kelp farm off the coast of Namibia, near Lüderitz.
Kelp Blue Founder and CEO Daniel Hooft highlighted how the kelp forests transform underwater ecosystems by adding structure and habitat for marine life.
“When you put ropes in, that forms a place where marine life can come, acclimatise and start to live. The forest itself is a very dense habitat in which creatures can hide and shoulder from their predators,” said Hooft during a recent site visit.
He noted the increasing presence of grey fish and juvenile fish populations within the kelp forests.
“Starting from this season, and especially in March, you see a variety of juvenile fish populations. Our thesis has always been that fish, by preference, will lay their eggs in kelp forests. The survival rate of these eggs is many times higher,” Hooft explained.
One of the most significant developments is the detection of environmental DNA (eDNA) of sardines in kelp forests, sparking hopes of a potential recovery of sardine stocks.
“Sardines were wiped out by overfishing in the 60s when Namibia had no control over its economic zone. This used to be the biggest sardine run on the planet. If spawning is confirmed, we could trigger a significant recovery of that fish,” Hooft added.
Hooft underscored the ecological and economic benefits of restoring sardine populations, emphasising their importance to oceanic food chains.
“Pretty much everything in the ocean’s favourite food is sardines. Restoring that story would have a huge positive impact,” he said.
With ongoing research, including studies by postgraduate students, Kelp Blue aims to quantify its impact on local fish populations.
“Can we start to both translate per hectare? We will increase the local greyfish population by X, for example. That’s some research that’s going on,” Hooft noted.
This comes as Kelp Blue expects to invest over N$3 billion in the Namibian economy over the next three to four years.
These remarks were shared during a media overdue visit to Kelp Blues Operations in Lüderitz as part of a nationwide initiative by the Namibia Investment Promotion and Development Board to showcase current projects underway that could boost the country’s economy.
Kelp Blue is a sustainable oceanic aquaculture enterprise based in Lüderitz, Namibia.
