Minister of Fisheries and Marine Resources, Derek Klazen, launched Namibia’s first National Plan of Action for Small Scale Fisheries (NPOA-SSF) for the period 2022-2026 in Swakopmund on Thursday.
The NPOA-SSF is aimed at recognising the important role the small scale fisheries sector plays in socio-economic growth and economic transformation.
According to the minister, NPOA-SSF strategies support small scale fisheries development and build resilience for small scale fishers, the majority of whom happen to be previously disadvantaged riparian and coastal communities, to secure their livelihoods.
The plan advocates inclusivity, promotes social equity and provides empowerment opportunities for small scale fishers, by advocating for equitable fisheries resource distribution, Klazen said.
“The NPOA-SSF demonstrates the government’s commitment to promote inclusion, secure the livelihoods of SSF, and safeguard the rights of riparian and coastal communities as established in Harambee Prosperity Plan II, the Blue Economy Policy, and other instruments such as SDG 14b, ‘Life below water’,” Klazen noted.
The minister emphasised the importance of small scale fisheries on the food and nutrition security pillar and called upon strategic partners, the private sector and key stakeholders to support the NPOA-SSF’s strategic, social, environmental and economic development intent to realise the human dimensions in fisheries management.
“By so doing, Namibia can ensure that the human rights of small scale fishers remain central to the sector’s development, while maintaining sustainable resource management and utilisation practices.”
He added that the launch of the NPOA-SSF is timely since it coincides with the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture (IYAFA 2022) which celebrates the contribution of small scale fisher-women, men and fishing communities to socio-economic development across the world.
SFF supports over 280 000 livelihoods countrywide, with approximately 45 000 fishers and traders employed through inland and 1 500 at coastal SFF.
SFF inland and coastal produce a combined 10 000 metric tonnes of fish annually at an estimated N.dollars 257 million.
Food and Agriculture Organisation representative to Namibia, Farayi Zimudzi expressed that research and development and investments should be intensified to support the sector’s growth and to increase its contribution to the betterment of rural communities’ livelihood as well as contribution to the country’s GDP at large.
Source: The Namibian Press Agency
