Namibia ramps up battle against illegal fishing through capacity-building workshop

Namibian law enforcement officials completed a three-day capacity-building workshop last week aimed at strengthening the country’s response to illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing.

The training formed part of the SADC Atlantic Project, implemented in partnership with Stop Illegal Fishing and the SADC Monitoring, Control and Surveillance Coordination Centre (MCSCC). The initiative is supported by GIZ and PMZ and provided at no cost to the Namibian government.

Around 20 participants, including fisheries inspectors from Walvis Bay and Lüderitz, took part in the training.

“We are empowering Namibians, particularly those involved in law enforcement, in several key areas,” Per Erik Bergh of Stop Illegal Fishing said.

“One of the focus areas is port state measures. It is increasingly important for Namibia to assess which vessels enter its ports and to evaluate the risks before granting access.”

He explained that ports present a strategic opportunity to combat illegal fishing.

“A port is a bottleneck. Inspecting vessels in port is far less costly than conducting operations at sea," he said.

Bergh added that Namibia’s fisheries monitoring and control systems are among the strongest in the region.

"Many countries have a lot to learn from Namibia. However, even strong systems can improve, especially in detecting non-compliance and reducing risks,” he noted.

Gathering clues

Dr Stanley Ndara, chairperson of the MCSCC board of directors, emphasised that one of the key goals of the workshop was strengthening evidence collection.

“Based on feedback from participants, the gathering of evidence is a critical area. Without proper evidence, cases cannot stand in court,” Ndara said.

He noted that while coastal communities often report suspected illegal activities by sharing photos, such material is frequently insufficient for prosecution.

“Communities must understand how to report effectively, including providing dates, coordinates and verifiable information. A photo without supporting data is not admissible evidence,” he explained.

Ndara said the team is considering reintroducing specialised legal training, potentially through the FishFORCE Academy at Nelson Mandela University, to strengthen prosecution capacity in Namibia.

Review laws

Both experts stressed the urgent need to review Namibia’s fisheries legislation, particularly in light of evolving industry dynamics.

Ndara pointed out that existing laws, including the Criminal Procedure Act of 1977 and the Marine Resources Act of 2000, no longer fully address the complexities of modern fisheries crime.

“The fines currently imposed are not a deterrent. Crime must not pay. If penalties are too low, they simply become a business expense,” he said, adding that weak penalties could demotivate law enforcement officers and create opportunities for corruption.

Bergh echoed these concerns.

“If the fine is too small, the law has no deterrent value. It does not stop people from offending."

He added that stronger provisions for forfeiture and confiscation of vessels and equipment used in illegal activities would enhance enforcement efforts.

Team up

Bergh highlighted how technological advancements have transformed fisheries monitoring over the past two decades.

“Twenty years ago, once a vessel went to sea, you would not see it again until it returned to port. Today, with satellite tracking, radar imagery and monitoring systems, it is extremely difficult to hide illegal activity,” he said.

Regional cooperation is also strengthening enforcement. Ndara referenced the establishment of a regional Monitoring, Control and Surveillance Centre in Maputo under SADC, which facilitates information sharing among member states.

“If a vessel is spotted engaging in illegal activities, countries alert one another through the centre. That collaboration is key because monitoring and surveillance are expensive. No country can do it alone,” he said.

He cited a recent case involving Angola, Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire, where shared landing documentation exposed forged signatures, leading to a US$500 000 fine.

“This type of information sharing is a game-changer,” Ndara said. He also noted that regional fisheries management organisations maintain blacklists of vessels involved in illegal activities, preventing them from being licensed or registered in member states.

“Namibia conducts due diligence. Blacklisted vessels will not be allowed to operate here,” he said.

While acknowledging that illegal fishing does occur in Namibian waters, Bergh maintained that the country’s system remains robust.

“There is illegal fishing everywhere in the world, but Namibia’s system is not uncontrolled by any means. It is a strong system, and initiatives like this help make it even stronger,” he said.