Niël Terblanché
By addressing these key challenges, Namibia’s small-scale fisheries (SSF) sector can play a more significant role in the country’s economy, improving food security and livelihoods, particularly for rural communities.
To achieve this, strengthened collaborations between government entities, non-governmental organisations, and SSFOs will be vital in ensuring the sector’s success as it adapts to evolving market conditions and climate-related challenges
In this regard, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations, in partnership with the Namibian Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources (MFMR), held a one-day workshop to validate the results of a Training Needs Assessment (TNA) and market assessment for Namibia’s small-scale fisheries (SSF) sector.
The event, which took place in Windhoek last Tuesday, brought together key stakeholders from various regions and communities, including fishermen and women, fish vendors, and representatives of Small-Scale Fisheries Organisations (SSFOs), to address the critical challenges faced by the sector.
According to a statement issued on Friday, the workshop forms part of a broader FAO initiative supporting the implementation of the Voluntary Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries (SSF Guidelines), which were endorsed by the FAO Committee on Fisheries in 2014.
Namibia is one of the beneficiaries of the Flexible Voluntary Contribution (FVC) project, which focuses on creating gender-equitable and climate-resilient food systems and livelihoods within small-scale fisheries.
During the workshop, discussions focused on the findings of the TNA and market assessment, which identified several issues hindering the progress of Namibia’s SSF sector.
Among the most pressing challenges were high post-harvest losses, particularly related to inadequate fish preservation techniques such as drying and smoking during the rainy season.
The lack of sufficient infrastructure, including cold storage and transportation facilities, further exacerbates these losses, limiting access to broader markets.
An important highlight of the TNA was the identification of the significant role women play in the post-harvest process.
Women in the sector face specific challenges, such as limited access to training, resources, and market opportunities.
As a result, gender-specific training programmes focusing on fish processing, hygiene, value addition, and business management have been identified as crucial for empowering women and improving their economic standing within the SSF value chain.
The market analysis conducted as part of the assessment revealed key barriers that prevent small-scale fishers from accessing formal markets.
High transportation costs, inadequate cold storage facilities, and stiff competition from commercial fisheries were among the primary challenges identified.
Participants from regions like Kavango East and Zambezi highlighted the need for enhanced market linkages and branding efforts to make small-scale fisheries more competitive in both local and international markets.
Improvements in transport routes and pricing mechanisms were also emphasized as necessary measures to facilitate better market access.
Johannes Hamukwaya, Deputy Director of Aquaculture and Inland Fisheries at MFMR, spoke during the workshop, stressing the significance of the TNA in aligning Namibia’s National Plan of Action for Small-Scale Fisheries (NPOA-SSF) with the country’s broader goals for the sector.
“This assessment is a critical step in advancing our training and capacity-building efforts,” Hamukwaya said.
He stressed the importance of addressing gaps in post-harvest practices, infrastructure, and governance to equip SSF stakeholders to compete in increasingly competitive markets.
FAO Senior Post-Harvest Fisheries Expert, Ansen Ward, echoed this sentiment, highlighting the importance of building capacity to reduce post-harvest losses and improve livelihoods.
“By improving fish handling, processing techniques, and infrastructure, we can prevent these losses and ensure that fishers and processors, especially women, can generate better incomes,” Ward said.
The workshop also focused on the need to strengthen SSFOs’ governance structures, as weak leadership and advocacy have hindered these organisations from effectively addressing critical issues such as illegal fishing and market access barriers.
Improved training in leadership, governance, and advocacy was recommended as a way to empower SSFOs to better serve their members and engage policymakers.
The findings from the TNA and market assessment will guide the development of targeted training programmes for SSF stakeholders.
These initiatives will focus on improving fish handling, post-harvest techniques, and hygiene, with a particular emphasis on reducing post-harvest losses.
Infrastructure development, including cold storage and transport facilities, will also be prioritised to enhance market access for small-scale fisheries products.
