Namibia’s fishery sector includes: industrialized marine capture fisheries, recreational fisheries, inland capture fisheries, mariculture and freshwater aquaculture. The exploitation of the marine resources started in the 1940s with minimal catches of sardine followed by the development of the hake fishery in the 1950s and horse mackerel and others later. Currently the hake industry is the backbone of the export-oriented fishing industry whilst the Cape horse mackerel makes up the bulk of the catches, with average landings of 250 000 tonnes and a certain declining trend over the past decade. Cape hake landings are also declining, from 150 000 tonnes in 2017 to 130 000 tonnes at present.

Marine capture fisheries represent 99 percent of total production. Aquaculture production is low at 300 tonnes per year, while inland fisheries production is estimated at 2 800 tonnes per year.

Production advantages for marine aquaculture in Namibia include approximately 1 500 km of largely uninhabited coastline (Lüderitz, Walvis Bay and Swakopmund); unpolluted high quality marine waters, high natural primary productivity of the seawater; availability of inexpensive fish by-products from the established fish processing sector for inclusion in wet aqua-feeds, and well-established processing, packaging and marketing systems, which exist due to the marine capture fisheries, that can be adapted for aquaculture purposes.

Commercial marine aquaculture (mariculture) is based on seaweed (Gracilaria verricosa), abalone (Haliotis midae), mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis), and oyster (Crassostrea giga and Ostrea edulis). At present, the entire aquaculture output (285 tonnes) is coming from oyster culture.

Inland freshwater fisheries are important in less arid areas such as the Caprivi and Okavango regions in the North East and the Omusati, Kunene and Oshana regions in the North West. Commercial freshwater aquaculture of tilapia (Oreochromis andersonii) and catfish (Clarias gariepinus) is currently undertaken at all aquaculture establishments throughout the country.

Even though the desert and land are relatively barren, the waters around its coastline are anything but, as they are rich with marine life and offer some fantastic shore fishing opportunities. Thousands of anglers head for the Namibian coast each year in search of the big shark. The nutrient-rich Benguela current of the Southern Atlantic, in fact, is the perfect habitat for the Bronze Whaler Sharks, and the coastline boasts one of the world’s largest populations. These hard fighting sharks are what Namibia fishing holidays are famous for, and they grow to epic proportions, with fish of over 400 lbs landed every year.

Although not as popular as sea angling, freshwater angling is also undertaken in Namibia. Hardap Dam, stocked with Mozambique tilapia, small-mouth yellowfish, Orange River mudfish, sharp-tooth catfish, moggel and carp, is the most popular fresh water angling spot in Namibia.

Fish is not a staple food for Namibians. At present, frozen fish is promoted in fish stalls. Supermarkets also offer a selection of canned fish products.

The Namibia Fish Consumption Promotion Trust (NFCPT) is a government agency established in March 2001 by Cabinet Resolution 38th. The primary objective of the NFCPT is to promote the consumption of fish throughout the country and ensure that the promotion of fish consumption goes hand in hand with imparting skills on how to prepare different cuisines of fish. Sales of frozen fish in NFCPT establishments went from 500 tonnes in 2001 to over 10 000 tonnes at present. The government allocates catch quotas of Cape hake and Cape mackerel to NFCPT for sales in the country, below market prices. The NFCPT has launched several initiatives to promote fish consumption in the country, including a national fish consumption day, establish fish shops, build fish cold storage and fish processing facilities, all over the country.

Namibia is a net exporter of fishery products. In line with the production main products exported are frozen hake fillets (mainly going to Spain) and frozen horse mackerel (going to various African countries). Total export earnings from fishery products were USD 760 million in 2022, with about half of exports going to the European Union (EU). Fish imports are a fraction of exports with USD 95 million. Main products imported are frozen squid and frozen sardines.

Since independence fish consumption in Namibia has expanded from some 4 kg per capita to 17 kg at present.

The fisheries sector creates about 12 806 direct jobs in the country.

For the three main ports, fisheries plays a role as provider of employment, both on fishing vessels and in the fish processing industry.

Aquaculture is a major opportunity in the country. The government policy talks about aquaculture promotion. The MSC certification for the Namibian Cape hake can become an important sales argument for this species, especially in the European market.

The MAFWLR Strategic Plan is a national policy with a sectoral approach. The main goal of this policy is to manage living aquatic resources in a responsible manner in order to continuously ensure a conducive environment for the fishing and aquaculture sector to prosper.

Employment opportunities are enhanced in the fishing sector by increasing the production volume. Poverty eradication is facilitated by building a sustainable and economically inclusive fishery sector.

In order to achieve significant sustainable and efficient utilization of natural resources and maximize and share the benefits in an equitable manner, scientific advice is provided on the sustainable management of the marine ecosystem with an ecosystem approach and the compliance of fisheries legislation is enforced. A blue economy governance and management system is implemented to maximize economic benefits from marine resources in a sustainable manner and ensure equitable marine wealth distribution for all Namibians. The contribution of value added exports to national economy is improved by becoming the leader in the fisheries and aquaculture sectors at the regional level. Institutional capacity is enhanced for planning and implementation, effective monitoring and evaluation, and informed policy decision processes, especially on setting the TAC. The sustainable financing mechanisms of monitoring, control and surveillance (MCS) activities are developed, while ensuring that illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) activities is maintained at negligible levels.

Climate change adaptation and mitigation is integrated into fisheries resources management. Disaster risk management is strengthened to prevent ecosystem degradation, food insecurity and water scarcity, due to flood, drought and desertification.

The National Plan of Action for Small-Scale Fisheries (NPOA-SSF) is a national sectoral plan of Namibia for the period 2022-2026. Its main objective is to recognize and support the role and importance of small-scale fisheries and their contribution to socio-economic development for fishers and fisheries dependent communities, while paying due consideration to the need for restoration and sustainable management of the natural resources.

The Plan's vision is that of Namibia’s small-scale fisheries sector recognized, prioritized, supported, and contributing to socio-economic development to improve livelihoods, food, and nutrition security.

The NPOA-SSF strategic objectives are anchored upon four key components which are aligned to the four strategic pillars of Namibia’s fifth National Development Plan. A fifth pillar/component is a cross cutting theme introducing an enhanced awareness on small-scale fisheries.

The components are the following: Component 1- Inclusive Governance: developing effective national policies and programs for small-scale fisheries and improving community governance. Component 2- Ecological integrity & Climate Change: promoting sustainable resource management approaches & localised climate adaptation strategies. Component 3- Economic development: improving the contribution of the small-scale fisheries sector to the local and national economies, and promoting inclusive blue growth, and enhancing public awareness of SSF. Component 4- Social transformation: Promoting innovative, transformative approaches for SSF, youth & gender mainstreaming and capacity building opportunities. Component 5- Cross cutting theme: cultivating a research agenda for and enhancing public awareness of SSF.

The implementation of the NPOA-SSF is spearheaded by the MAFWLR in close collaboration with key small-scale fisheries stakeholders at the local, regional, national, and global levels. The Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) is providing technical backstopping during implementation.

The implementation approach is made at three levels. The Macro-level approach points at creating an enabling environment by establishing a Small-Scale Fisheries Policy and addressing existing government policies, strategies, and the legal framework for the socio-economic development and sustainable management of the inland and coastal small-scale fisheries sub sectors; the Meso-level approach addresses the needs of intermediaries to build capacities for small scale fishers, including to promote community governance practices; the Micro-level approach aims to improve the contribution of small-scale fisheries to employment, food and nutrition security at the local level; to improve post-harvest losses and to optimize the small-scale fisheries value chain in support of local employment, community livelihoods and poverty reduction.

Fisheries projects countrywide: The MAFWLR has several ongoing projects related to fisheries in Namibia. These include the development of a national aquaculture strategy, the establishment of a fish processing plant in Katima Mulilo, and the construction of a new fishing port at Lüderitz.

Strengthening Community Fisheries in KAZA: This project aims to strengthen sustainable fisheries management through ecosystem-based adaptation, thereby improving socio-ecological resilience. The project was launched by the Namibia Nature Foundation (NNF) on 27 April 2021 at Hakusembe Lodge in Rundu, Kavango East region.

Research on small-scale fishery along the Namibian coastline: A joint research project between the University of Namibia (UNAM) and Helmholtz-Zentrum Hereon, titled Namibia Marine Ecosystem Services for Marine Spatial Planning (NAMares), recently undertook a trip to investigate small-scale fishery in Henties Bay. The Helmholtz-Zentrum Hereon is a research centre in Germany that conducts research on climate change, energy, and the environment. The centre is funded by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) and the German states of Hamburg and Schleswig-Holstein.

The fisheries portfolio in Namibia is currently housed under the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform (MAFWLR). This follows a structural change in 2025, when the former Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources (MFMR) was disestablished, and its responsibilities were reintegrated into the agriculture ministry.

The fisheries sector is under the MAFWLR. Four Directorates are identified under the MAFWLR: Aquaculture and Inland Fisheries Directorate; Resource Management Directorate; Operations Directorate; and the Policy, Planning and Economics Directorate.

The Aquaculture and Inland Fisheries Directorate is mandated to regulate and control aquaculture and inland fisheries activities and provide sustainable development of aquaculture, the conservation and protection of inland aquatic ecosystem and their sustainable management.

The Resource Management Directorate is mandated to conduct research to determine the status of the stocks and providing scientific advice on the sustainable management of Namibia's marine ecosystem and promoting public awareness.

The Operations Directorate is mandated to protect the living aquatic resources and regulating fishing activities within the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and public inland water bodies.

The Policy, Planning and Economics Directorate is mandated to: co-ordinate the formulation, implementation, as well as monitoring and evaluation of fisheries policies and legal framework; carry out continuous socio-economic research and evaluation; collect, capture, analyze and disseminate data to end users and stakeholders; manage fishing rights and allocation of fishing quotas; issue licensing of vessels; and co-ordinate overall planning of the Ministry.

The Marine Resources Act, 2000 (Act 27 of 2000) provides for the conservation of the marine ecosystem and the responsible utilization, conservation, protection and promotion of marine resources on a sustainable basis; provides for the exercise of control over marine resources; and provides for matters connected therewith.

The Act provides for the conservation of living marine resources including various aspects of marine fisheries, the establishment of the Fisheries Observer Agency, the Marine Resources Advisory Council, and the Fisheries Observer Fund and the continuing in existence of the Marine Resources Fund established under the Sea Fisheries Act 1992 and other related matters.

The texts consists of 65 sections divided into 10 Parts: Preliminary Provisions (I); General Policy for Conservation of and Control over Marine Resources (II); Officers (III); Fisheries Observer Agency (IV); Marine Resources Advisory Council (V); Harvesting of Marine Resources (VI); Financial Provisions (VII); Management and Control Measures (VIII); Offences and Proceedings (IX); General (X).

The management, protection and utilization of marine resources in Namibia and Namibian waters shall be subject to this Act. The Minister responsible for marine resources may from time to time determine the general policy with regard to the conservation and utilization of marine resources. Section 5 outlines the powers of Fisheries Inspectors. Functions of the agency include: (a) to provide fisheries observers to perform the tasks enumerated in section 7(1) for the benefit of the Ministry; (b) to provide appropriate expertise and facilities to train fisheries observers; and (c) pursuant to an agreement managing marine resources outside Namibian waters, and to which Namibia is a party, make fisheries observers available.

No person shall in Namibia or in Namibian waters harvest any marine resource for commercial purposes, except under a right to harvest (sect. 33), an exploratory right (sect. 34) or a fisheries agreement (sect. 35). In the case of a marine resource which has been made subject to a quota, no person shall in Namibia or in Namibian waters harvest such a resource for commercial purposes, except in terms of a quota or of permitted bycatch under a right, an exploratory right or a fisheries agreement. The Minister may establish a TAC in accordance with section 38 and impose measures and quotas pursuant to section 39. The Permanent Secretary shall keep a register showing, in respect of every right, exploratory right, quota and licence, such particulars as may be prescribed. The Minister may declare marine reserves under section 51.

The Aquaculture Act (No. 18 of 2002) regulates and controls aquaculture activities; to provide for the sustainable development of aquaculture resources; and to provide for related matters. The Act consists of 49 sections divided into 9 Parts: Interpretation (I); Aquaculture policy (II); Aquaculture licences (III); Management and control measures (IV); Ownership of aquaculture products (V); Aquaculture development zones (VI); Enforcement (VII); Offences and penalties (VIII); General (IX).

The Minister responsible for fisheries shall formulate the general policy regarding aquaculture in Namibia in accordance with section 2. The Aquaculture Advisory Council is established under section 3. The Council shall provide advice to the Minister as prescribed by this Act or at request of the Minister. A person may not engage in aquaculture, i.e. the farming and ranching of aquaculture organisms (defined in section 1) without a licence issued by the Minister in accordance with section 13 (sect. 11). A licence must be issued for the site defined in the licence and must specify the species of aquatic organisms that may be farmed or harvested at the site. A sea ranching licence confers upon the licensee an exclusive right to release and harvest aquaculture products within the site defined in the license. The Minister may attach conditions to the license regarding specified matters, e.g. water quality, use of drugs or hormones, quantity of produce, facilities, etc. (sect. 14). Section 17 provides for record keeping by licensees. The Minister may take over an aquaculture facility if it is abandoned or for other reasons set out in section 21. Section 22 concerns removal of aquaculture facilities and restoration of sites. Section 25 of Part IV requires persons engaged in aquaculture to report on presence of a disease or harmful organism in a facility. The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry undertakes actions in respect of affected aquaculture facilities as specified the same section. Section 26 provides for the monitoring of water quality. Section 27 places restrictions on the introduction of aquaculture organisms in Namibia or Namibian waters and the transfer of aquaculture organisms. Importation requires permission from the Minister (sect. 28). Purposes of an Aquaculture Development Zone, to be created by the Minister under section 33, are to promote aquaculture activities, to manage and control aquaculture and to protect aquaculture developments (sect. 32). Zones may be created in any area of Namibia or Namibian water including internal waters and the territorial sea. The Minister may regulate aquaculture in zones as defined in sections 33 and 34. Inspectors are appointed under section 36 and their powers are defined in section 37. Regulation making powers of the Minister are defined in section 43. The Minister may also issue codes of practice (sect. 48).

The Inland Fisheries Resources Act, 2003 (No. 1 of 2003) provides for the conservation and protection of aquatic ecosystems and the sustainable development of inland fisheries resources; provides for the control and regulation of inland fishing; and provides for related matters. The Act makes provision with respect to the promotion of inland fisheries and the conservation of inland fisheries resources, defines criteria for an inland fisheries policy, provides for the establishment of the Inland Fisheries Council and regulates inland fisheries.

The Act consists of 33 sections divided into 9 Parts: Interpretation (I); Policy for Conservation and Utilization of Inland Fisheries Resources (II); Inland Fisheries Council (III); Fishing Licences and Registration of Nets (IV); Control of Fishing Activities (V); Conservation and Protection Measures (VI); Enforcement (VII); Offences and Penalties (VIII); General (IX).

Section 2 grants power to the Minister to define the inland fisheries and utilization policy. The Inland Fisheries Council, established under section 3, shall advise the Minister on matters regarding inland fisheries. The Council may establish committees to perform, subject to the directions of the Council, such of the Council’s functions as the Council may determine. A person may not engage in fishing in any inland waters by means of any regulated fishing gear as defined in section 2 without a fishing licence issued by the Minister or a designated officer authorising fishing by means of the particular type of regulated fishing gear which the person is using or intends using (sect. 11). A fishing licence is subject to such conditions as are prescribed in general and as the Minister or a designated officer may impose in a particular case. Prescribed conditions may relate to: (a) bag limits; (b) fishing gear; (c) areas in which fishing is restricted or prohibited; (d) closed seasons when fishing is not permitted; (e) furnishing of catch reports; and (f) any other matter which the Minister deems appropriate (sect. 13). Section 16 concerns the marking of fishing gear. Section 17 prohibits certain fishing methods. A fishing license does not authorize its holder to fish in a game park or nature reserve or on land owned or controlled by statutory institutions (sect. 18). Introduction or transfer of fish and import or export of fish requires a written permission of the Minister. The Minister may by notice in the Gazette declare any species of fish as an endangered species for the purpose of protecting or regenerating such species (sect. 21). The Minister, on his or her own initiative, or in response to an initiative of any regional council, local authority council or traditional authority, declare fisheries reserves pursuant to section 22. The Minister may designate inspectors for purposes of this Act under section 23. Powers of an Inspector are outlined in section 25. Remaining provisions prescribe offences and penalties, provide for measures of enforcement and regulation making powers the Minister.

Namibia is member of the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR); International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT); South East Atlantic Fisheries Organisation (SEAFO).

The country is a party to the UN Law of the Sea Convention, to the FAO Compliance Agreement from 1993, and to the UN Fish Stocks Agreement from 1995.