Editorial: Fishing can deliver more jobs for Namibia

Namibia's fishing industry should be one of the country's strongest engines of employment, exports and coastal development, yet its potential continues to be constrained by pressure on fish stocks, policy uncertainty and persistent concerns about job security. The answer cannot simply be catching more fish. Without healthy stocks, there is no industry, and increasing catches beyond sustainable levels would sacrifice tomorrow's jobs for today's returns. The greater opportunity lies in creating more economic activity from every tonne Namibia can sustainably harvest. The government itself acknowledges that onshore processing has supported employment and local value addition. More fish landed and processed locally could support jobs in filleting, canning, packaging, cold storage, transport, engineering and vessel services. Aquaculture and mariculture offer another largely underdeveloped frontier, from oysters and abalone to freshwater fish farming and their supporting industries. Namibia therefore needs predictable policy, credible science and investment that rewards value addition. The real measure of success should not be how much fish we catch, but how many sustainable businesses and livelihoods we build around it.