Staff Reporter
The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations (UN) has announced its support for the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources in ensuring the successful implementation of the National Plan of Action for Small-Scale Fisheries 2022-2026 (NPOA-SSF).
This support was highlighted during a recently concluded joint workshop organized by FAO and the fisheries ministry. The workshop aimed to develop a strategy for mobilizing resources to implement the NPOA-SSF.
The objective of the NPOA-SSF, as explained by the FAO’s Communications Officer, Phillipus Tobias, is to promote socio-economic growth by harnessing the potential of the small-scale fisheries sector and encouraging sustainable practices.
Tobias said that the workshop provided an interactive session for participants to create a strategic response in securing funding for the small-scale fisheries sector. He added that important tasks during the workshop included sharing information about the status of small-scale fisheries activities in various regions and proposing strategic interventions to secure funding for implementing the NPOA-SSF across all 14 regions.
Tobias further explained that the completed strategy will identify partners, prioritize key resource mobilization activities, and assign responsibilities for acquiring the necessary resources.
Mobilizing adequate resources, he emphasized, will create a supportive environment for the growth of the small-scale fisheries sector in Namibia. This, in turn, will contribute to socio-economic development, poverty eradication, food security, and the sustainable management of fisheries resources, aligning with national development goals and international commitments for sustainable development.
During the workshop, Johannes Hamukwaya, the Deputy Director of Aquaculture and Inland Fisheries in the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources, also emphasized the importance of adequate financial resources for realizing the NPOA-SSF. However, he expressed confidence in the government and FAO’s commitment to ensuring the plan’s implementation.
Ferdinard Mwapopi, the Assistant FAO Representative in Namibia, reaffirmed the vital role played by small-scale fisheries in supporting the achievement of multiple Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). He expressed FAO’s commitment to assisting Namibia in successfully implementing the NPOA-SSF and collaborating closely with the government to mobilize resources and unlock the socio-economic development potential of the small-scale fisheries sector in Namibia.
Photo for illustrative purposes only. Photo: Conservation Tourism in Namibia.
