Uplifting small-scale fisheries

A platform for MFMR officers from the directorate of inland fisheries and aquaculture which is responsible for national and regional small-scale fisheries activities and other MFMR officials was created during a workshop in Swakopmund to allow for input into the resource mobilisation strategy and action plan for the sector.



The small-scale fisheries sector is vital to global food security, livelihoods and the well-being of many fishermen. Due to this, the MFMR launched a National Plan of Action for SSF (NPOA-SSF) in 2022, based on implementing the voluntary guidelines on securing sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries in the context of food security and poverty eradication. Also to enrich the policy direction, engagement, and implementation processes.



The action plan is aimed at recognizing the important role that the small-scale fisheries (SSF) sector plays in socio-economic growth and economic transformation. It provides special considerations and specific actions to move the small scale fisheries sector from an under-estimated sector to one which recognizes the rights of small-scale fisherwomen and fishermen to play a significance role in the mainstream of their socio-economic development.



The development process was led by a national task team comprising key stakeholders and stakeholder organisations. The consultative, participatory development process led to an increased awareness of the socio-economic development potential of the small-scale fisheries sector.



According to the fisheries ministry’s Executive Director Annely Haiphene said small-scale fisheries sector indirectly supports the livelihoods of over 280 000 Namibians, which is approximately 11% of the country’s total population.



Johannes Hamukwaya, the deputy director and project leader for SSF said that in the implementation of National Plan of Action (NPOA) there is a need for resources and funding. “Therefore this workshop served as a platform to strategize and identify potential development partners who can fund certain activities in order for the NPOA to be fully implemented. There are so many challenges SSFs face countrywide. Deliberations at the workshop will not only help improve the lives of SSF, it will increase the awareness of the socio-economic development potential of the small-scale fisheries sector.”



Struggles

According to Hamukwaya, the ministry went on the ground to figure out the day-to-day challenges SSF face.



“We found that most of them struggled with the fact that they are not allowed to sell their fish and sustain themselves from selling. Due to the constant development in areas like the coast, the fishermen have to keep moving further away and so many of them use bicycles to go fishing. They usually travel in the early morning hours which makes it dangerous. We are now looking for funding that will help us to scale up. For example, many SSFs catch fish and the fish go rotten before reaching the market. So, how can we as the government and partners come in and perhaps provide a cold storage facility for them to keep the fish fresh? That way their catches can still reach the market in good quality.”