Niël Terblanché
The Namibian Ports Authority (Namport) and the University of Namibia (UNAM) have entered into a three-year agreement valued at N$3.7 million to safeguard and preserve one of Namibia’s most vital ecosystems.
The agreement signed earlier this week forms a partnership which aims to conduct a comprehensive study on the health and biodiversity of the Walvis Bay Lagoon.
The collaboration between Namport and UNAM is not new; the two entities previously had a Memorandum of Understanding from 2016 to 2021.
The renewal of this agreement stresses a continued commitment to environmental stewardship.
Namport’s Chief Executive, Andrew Kanime, during the signing of the new agreement, reiterated the importance of balancing economic progress with environmental conservation.
“The extension serves as a reaffirmation of our shared responsibility and commitment to the preservation of Namibia’s ecosystems, environmental stewardship, and sustainability through the promotion of scientific research,” he said.
The Walvis Bay Lagoon is well-known for its unique ecosystem, supporting a diverse range of marine life and serving as a habitat for millions of migratory birds.
It also plays a crucial role in the local economy, contributing to tourism, fishing, and various other marine and commercial activities.
“The Walvis Bay Lagoon is an ecological and socio-economic treasure for the region,” he said
He added that Namport’s operations in close proximity to the lagoon make understanding and mitigating any potential environmental impacts imperative.
“We have an obligation to balance economic progress with environmental sustainability by ensuring that our port operations continue to co-exist harmoniously with the natural environment,” he acknowledged.
Kanime reiterated the proactive nature of the partnership.
“With this partnership, we are taking a proactive step in ensuring that conservation efforts are guided by data, informed by research, and driven by science,” he said.
Kanime added that in collaboration with UNAM, it would be guaranteed that the lagoon remains a vibrant and healthy ecosystem for generations to come.”
UNAM’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor Kenneth Matengu, expressed the university’s dedication to protecting marine life through rigorous research.
“Through the agreement, we reaffirm our collective commitment to safeguarding this fragile and invaluable marine environment, building on research and ensuring that the evidence provided for decision-making is not just valid but reliable,” he said.
According to Matengu, the partnership will see UNAM’s Sam Nujoma campus in Henties Bay play a key role in implementing the monitoring programme.
He said the programme involves the conduct of field research and analysing critical environmental parameters, which will inform Namport’s operational decisions.
“The data collected will also guide conservation strategies, contribute to international research on coastal ecosystems, and support Namibia’s obligations under the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands,” he said.
The Walvis Bay Lagoon holds the designation of a Ramsar site, recognising its international significance as a wetland.
According to Matengu, the Ramsar status demonstrates the lagoon’s importance as a habitat for diverse marine life and its role in sustaining local fisheries.
“The Walvis Bay Lagoon is not only a national treasure for Namibia but also a Ramsar-designated wetland of international significance,” he said.
Matengu added that the renewed collaboration between Namport and UNAM exemplifies a commitment to environmental stewardship, scientific excellence, public health and safety, and sustainable development.
