Walvis Bay – Namibian President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has told government officials, industry leaders, workers and unions that Namibia’s fishing sector is unstable and entering a period of transition, calling on all parties to rebuild trust and work together to secure its future.
Speaking at the conclusion of recent consultations on the sector, the President said the discussions laid bare both the importance of the fishing industry and the serious challenges it faces, with findings grounded in facts and scientific evidence pointing to structural weaknesses, governance gaps, and external pressures such as climate variability.
“The fishing sector is not just another sector,” she said. “It sustains livelihoods, supports communities, and for many of us, it carries personal meaning.”
The President said while some of the challenges facing the sector are beyond anyone’s control, many require accountability and collective action, and that the responsibility to act does not rest with one group alone.
At the heart of her message was the need to restore trust among all stakeholders.
“Trust built on honesty. Trust built on integrity. Trust reinforced through action,” she said.
President Nandi-Ndaitwah warned that declining fish stocks will require discipline and difficult decisions, including possible short-term job losses and reduced profits, but made clear that protecting Namibia’s marine resources is non-negotiable.
“The ocean will not continue to give if we do not manage it responsibly,” she said.
She added that Cabinet has already been directed to identify new sectors to absorb workers who may be affected, to ensure no one is left behind during the transition.
Looking ahead, the President announced that the current redress programme will conclude in April 2027. She also raised concern over the labour hire system, noting the need to ensure workers benefit fairly from the industry.
She introduced the National Fisheries Indaba as the next step forward, describing it as a focused and time-bound process to address governance gaps, restore trust, and secure the long-term sustainability of the sector.
“We must not just talk, we must deliver solutions,” she said.
Closing her address, the President called for unity and shared responsibility among all Namibians connected to the sector.
“We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors, we borrow it from our children. We are too few to be poor. When we trust each other and work together, there is no way this nation cannot prosper,” she said.
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