ALCOM Field Document No. 23

Mission Report: Feasibility of inland aquaculture and small reservoir fisheries, Namibia CONTENTS

by Boyd Haight
Senior Aquaculturist, ALCOM, Harare, Zimbabwe

and Elin Ersdal
Socio-Economist (APO), ALCOM, Harare, Zimbabwe

Funding Agencies:

SWEDISH INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
BELGIAN ADMINISTRATION FOR DEVELOPMENT CO-OPERATION

Executing Agency:

FOOD AND AGRICULTURE ORGANIZATION OF THE UNITED NATIONS
Harare, Zimbabwe, January 1994

Preface

This document is the outcome of an ALCOM mission mounted 4–14 May 1993 at the request of the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources, Namibia, to evaluate the potential for inland aquaculture and small reservoir fisheries development in Namibia.

The mission members were Mr Boyd Haight, senior aquaculturist, ALCOM, and Ms Elin Ersdal (socio-economist, associate professional officer) of the Programme. The mission was accompanied and invaluably assisted on its field trips by Mr. Clinton Hay, Fisheries Biologist, Freshwater Fish Institute, Hardap dam, Namibia.

The mission reviewed published information and made field trips to aquaculture and small reservoir fisheries sites in northern and central Namibia, and to the Freshwater Fish Institute.

The report has suggested a few areas for possible development intervention.

ALCOM is a regional aquaculture and fisheries programme of the FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations). Based in Harare, Zimbabwe, it covers all the member-countries of SADC (Southern African Development Community): Angola, Botswana, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Swaziland, Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe.

ALCOM activities include introduction and extension of fish farming; integration of aquaculture into existing farm systems; surveys of fish farmers; better utilization of the fisheries potential of small water bodies; improving the role of women in fisheries and aquaculture; assistance in planning and project formulation; information dissemination.

The aim of ALCOM is to assist member-countries improve the living standards of rural populations through the practice of aquaculture. Towards this end, pilot activities are conducted in member-countries to demonstrate new techniques, technologies or methodologies. Successes achieved, ideas derived, lessons learnt, are applied on a wider scale by member governments.

ALCOM is funded by Sweden and Belgium. Its preparatory phase began in 1986, and its first implementation phase in 1990.

Abstract

The physical resource base and the socio-economic setting of Namibia are described, along with the present status of agriculture, reservoir fisheries and aquaculture. Three opportunities are identified for the development of aquaculture and small reservoir fisheries: low-intensive aquaculture in the north, primarily in Okavango, secondarily in Owambo; subsistence and commercial fishing in central and southern and state dams, where the fishery resource is strong and virtually unexploited; private aquaculture ventures in central and southern dams, and irrigation schemes, including stimulation of private dam fisheries.

A strategy is outlined for aquaculture and small reservoir fisheries development. Some of the main elements are: compare the costs and benefits of marketing marine fish and producing freshwater fish; encourage fish production (both from aquaculture and from small reservoir fisheries) in priority areas where demand exists and resources are present; utilize existing extension services to encourage fish production in priority areas; find economic ways to exploit state dams; monitor the development of small-holder irrigated agriculture schemes in the south for possible aquaculture and small reservoir fisheries activities in the future.

Several ideas for projects which would enhance the strategy are outlined. These include an economic study of fish supply and demand, and of the socio-economic benefits of inland aquaculture; technical assistance to the aquaculture activities of Oxfam Canamco, Okavango; integration of aquaculture into agriculture and rural development extension services, Owambo; promotion of fishing in selected state dams.

Abbreviations

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CONTENTS

1   Introduction

2   Findings
2.1   Physical resource base
2.2   Socio-economic setting
2.3   Agriculture
2.4   River and floodplain fisheries
2.5   Aquaculture
2.6   Reservoir fisheries
2.7   Administration and institutions
2.8   Potential for aquaculture and small reservoir fisheries development
2.9   Current and planned development assistance

3   Recommendations
3.1   Strategy for aquaculture and small reservoir fisheries development
3.2   Special issues
3.3   Project ideas

4   References

Table:

1   Characteristics of some State Dams in Namibia

Figures:

1a.   Map of Namibia -- New Regional Areas, 1991
1b.   Regions of northern Namibia (before reorganization)
2   Organogram, Ministry of Agriculture, Water Affairs and Rural Development

Appendices:

1   Key Persons Met
2   Itinerary
3   Commercial Fishing Experiences on Hardap and Omatako Dams