Funding Namibia’s small-scale fisheries action plan
Swakopmund – Namibia's National Plan of Action for Small-Scale Fisheries gains momentum to mobilise implementation funding.
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is supporting the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources (MFMR) to ensure the successful implementation of the National Plan of Action for Small-Scale Fisheries 2022-2026 (NPOA-SSF).
This support was highlighted during a recently concluded joint workshop organized by FAO and MFMR to develop a resource mobilization strategy for implementing the NPOA-SSF.
Launched in June 2022, the NPOA-SSF aims to bolster socio-economic growth by harnessing the potential of the small-scale fisheries sector and promoting sustainable practices.
During the workshop, Johannes Hamukwaya, Deputy Director of Aquaculture and Inland Fisheries in the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources, highlighted the current funding opportunities, acknowledging that the realization of the NPOA-SSF relies on adequate financial resources.
“There are various opportunities that exist for uplifting the [small-scale fisheries] sector, and government, together with FAO and other stakeholders, are determined to ensure the plan's implementation,” he noted.
Meanwhile, Ferdinard Mwapopi, Assistant FAO Representative (Programmes) in Namibia, emphasized FAO's unwavering support toward the government's efforts to uplift the country's small-scale fisheries sector.
Recognizing the vital role of small-scale fisheries in supporting the achievement of multiple Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Mwapopi reaffirmed FAO's commitment to assisting Namibia in the successful implementation of the NPOA-SSF.
"FAO aims to collaborate closely with the government to support resource mobilisation for the NPOA-SSF and to unlock the socio-economic development potential of the small-scale fisheries sector in Namibia," said Mwapopi.
To leverage responsive funding for the small-scale fisheries sector, the workshop fostered an interactive session for participants to develop a strategic response. This ensured that the workshop provided a platform for MFMR officers and officials to contribute to the resource mobilization strategy and action plan.
Key tasks during the workshop included the sharing of information by MFMR officials regarding the status of small-scale fisheries activities in their respective regions and proposing strategic interventions to secure funding for the implementation of the NPOA-SSF across all 14 regions.
The completed strategy will eventually identify partners, prioritize key resource mobilization activities, and assign responsibilities for leveraging the necessary resources.
By mobilizing adequate resources, Namibia seeks to create an enabling environment for the small-scale fisheries sector to thrive. This will contribute to the advancement of socio-economic development, poverty eradication, food security, and sustainable management of fisheries resources, aligning with national development goals and international commitments for achieving sustainable development.
Namibia’s National Plan of Action is premised upon the Voluntary Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries (SSF Guidelines), an international tool that supports the development of the sub-sector.