The Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources says it has issued more than 148 aquaculture licences to date to boost the development of the sector.
The Deputy Minister of Fisheries and Marine Resources, Silvia Makgone, says this initiative aims to boost local and international trade of aquatic products.
“The Ministry facilitates aquaculture development through issuing of aquaculture licences, import or export permits for live aquatic organisms or aquaculture products in both local and international markets,” she said.
Makgone added that the Ministry has implemented exemptions for small-scale fish farmers producing less than 10 tonnes per annum of local fish species.
She also says one of the key ingredients when venturing into aquaculture is access to land, water and finances as well as the technical capability to implement and run an aquaculture business.
“It is encouraging to observe that some business personalities are investing in aquaculture, especially mariculture at Lüderitz. There are some potential aquaculture projects there, such as seaweed, abalone and oyster production expansion,” Makgone noted.
Challenges in the sector include insufficient funding, limited access to suitable water and land, inadequate technical capacity, and slow growth rates of local fish species.
Despite these challenges, Makgone remains optimistic stating “we believe that together we can find a solution to these challenges and be a leading nation with a well-developed aquaculture sector”.
The Minister noted that Namibia’s aquaculture sector is divided into two sub-sectors—freshwater aquaculture and marine aquaculture, or mariculture.
The mariculture sub-sector, which is privately driven and oriented towards commercial trade, produces high-value species such as oysters, abalone, mussels and seaweed.
There are currently 11 active mariculture farmers employing about 205 people.
Freshwater aquaculture, primarily a government-driven initiative, focuses on species like African catfish and tilapia, aimed at enhancing food security in rural areas.
The government has established eight operational fish farms and aquaculture centres nationwide, including Hardap Aquaculture and Inland Fisheries Centre in the Hardap Region, Leonardville Fish Farm in the Omaheke Region, Fonteintjie Fish Farm in the //Kharas Region.
Furthermore, Onavivi Inland Aquaculture Centre in the Omusati Region, Ongwediva Aquaculture and Inland Fisheries Centre in the Oshana Region, Mpungu Demonstration Fish Farm in the Kavango West Region and Kamutjonga Inland Fisheries Institute in the Kavango East Region.
Additionally, the Zambezi Aquaculture and Inland Fisheries Centre in the Zambezi Region. The Ministry supports around 190 small-scale fish farmers.
“Aspiring fish farmers are encouraged to visit regional offices where Ministry staff will inspect potential fish pond sites, test water quality and provide fingerlings at minimal costs—20 cents per tilapia and 30 cents per catfish fingerling,” Makgone says.
