Staff Reporter
Namibia’s growing seal population and its potential impact on fish stocks have emerged as a key concern for the country’s fishing industry, with Fisheries Minister Inge Zaamwani calling on stakeholders to work together to find a sustainable solution.
“The growing seal population and its impact on fish stocks require careful attention within our fisheries sustainability framework. While seals are an integral part of the marine ecosystem, increasing competition for commercially important species may place additional pressure on vulnerable fish stocks and affect the viability of the fishing industry,” the minister said.
Zaamwani made the remarks at the National Fisheries Indaba in Walvis Bay, which she said provides a platform for constructive dialogue on the future of Namibia’s fisheries sector.
She highlighted seals as a valuable economic resource that should be sustainably and commercially utilised, based on sound science, applicable law and viable markets, with the objective of generating employment, income and value-added products.
“We should therefore adopt a balanced, ecosystem-based approach, supported by reliable population data and continuous monitoring, that reconciles seal conservation and sustainable utilisation with the long-term protection of fish stocks, industry viability and coastal livelihoods,” Zaamwani suggested.
Picture for illustrative purposes only. Photo: Africasian TOURS
