Committee launched to unlock seal sector potential
The agriculture ministry has taken a major step toward maximising the economic potential of its marine resources with the official launch of the seals sub-sector technical committee (SSTC).
The ministry’s executive director, Teofilus Nghitila, described the “historic move” as a significant milestone aimed at promoting a profitable, ethical and sustainable seal value chain, driving innovation and creating new employment opportunities.
Nghitila highlighted the importance of inter-ministerial collaboration during the launch, stressing that Namibia’s natural resources must be utilised responsibly for the benefit of both people and the environment.
The SSTC brings together experts, industry and government stakeholders under one umbrella to coordinate all activities related to sustainable seal management, market development and value addition.
The newly established committee has been given an initial three-year mandate to develop strategies that transform the sub-sector into a model of sustainable resource utilisation, the ministry noted.
Responsibilities
Key objectives include reviewing and updating the seals management plan to ensure responsible harvesting and implementing effective population management strategies.
Crucially, the SSTC will assess the impact of having seals listed on the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) list, seeking to improve trade opportunities.
The committee also aims to develop domestic, regional and international markets for Namibian seal products.
The SSTC is a multi-stakeholder platform chaired by the agriculture ministry, with a representative from the fishing industry serving as deputy chairperson. Participating institutions include the environment ministry, the Development Bank of Namibia, the Bank of Namibia, NamRA, and the Namibia Investment Promotion and Development Board (NIPDB).
The ministry’s executive director, Teofilus Nghitila, described the “historic move” as a significant milestone aimed at promoting a profitable, ethical and sustainable seal value chain, driving innovation and creating new employment opportunities.
Nghitila highlighted the importance of inter-ministerial collaboration during the launch, stressing that Namibia’s natural resources must be utilised responsibly for the benefit of both people and the environment.
The SSTC brings together experts, industry and government stakeholders under one umbrella to coordinate all activities related to sustainable seal management, market development and value addition.
The newly established committee has been given an initial three-year mandate to develop strategies that transform the sub-sector into a model of sustainable resource utilisation, the ministry noted.
Responsibilities
Key objectives include reviewing and updating the seals management plan to ensure responsible harvesting and implementing effective population management strategies.
Crucially, the SSTC will assess the impact of having seals listed on the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) list, seeking to improve trade opportunities.
The committee also aims to develop domestic, regional and international markets for Namibian seal products.
The SSTC is a multi-stakeholder platform chaired by the agriculture ministry, with a representative from the fishing industry serving as deputy chairperson. Participating institutions include the environment ministry, the Development Bank of Namibia, the Bank of Namibia, NamRA, and the Namibia Investment Promotion and Development Board (NIPDB).
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