Offshore oil threatens Namibia’s fishing industry, ministry says
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on New Era
Namibia’s Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform warns that offshore oil exploration and production could affect fishing, marine biodiversity and fishing communities if their impacts are not properly managed. Its spokesperson Romeo Muyunda says the ministry takes part in environmental assessments and checks that management plans include mitigation measures, according to daily newspaper New Era.
Namibia’s Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform warns that offshore oil and gas exploration and production could affect fishing, marine biodiversity and fishing communities if their environmental impacts are not properly managed. Its spokesperson and deputy director of public relations, Romeo Muyunda, made the warning in responses to the daily newspaper New Era.
The ministry examines in particular the potential effects of seismic surveys, drilling operations, vessel movements, underwater infrastructure and accidental oil spills on fish populations, fishing activities and marine ecosystems, Romeo Muyunda said. It takes part in environmental assessments from the scoping phase through to the review of the final environmental impact assessment report.
Each offshore oil and gas exploration or production project must obtain an environmental clearance certificate issued by Namibia’s Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism. Developers must also conduct a comprehensive environmental and social impact assessment including an environmental management plan, which the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries reviews before recommending, if necessary, conditions for the authorisation.
The ministry’s concerns come as Namibia has already seen the Cabinet approve its hake quota for 2026-2027, announced on 31 October, in a sector directly concerned with the protection of fishery resources.
