The fishing industry is an important pillar of Namibia’s economy, generating more than N$ 15 billion annually to the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Thousands of Namibians depend on this sector directly and indirectly, through employment, food and related industries. But what would happen if the nation’s third largest economic sector were to collapse?
On 23 June 2026, the Namibian Youth Chamber of Environment (NYCE) hosted a virtual panel discussion to explore the implications of Cabinet’s temporary removal of the 200‑metre isobath protection for horse mackerel between 22° and 24° South latitude. The session was moderated by Alfried Ukongo, NYCE’s Erongo Secretary, alongside panellists Dr Christopher Brown of the Namibian Chamber of Environment, Carolin Mutorwa of the Namibia Nature Foundation, and Diina Shatipamba, a youth marine conservationist and NYCE’s Otjozondjupa Coordinator.
The 200 m isobath: Economic interest vs marine life sustainability
Natural resources must be managed responsibly to ensure that they can replenish and continue supporting current and future generations. Ecosystems are put at risk when we overexploit them. The marine ecosystem, just ecosystems on land, could collapse if it is overused. When fish populations decline, seabirds and other species that eat fish go hungry, which disrupts the marine food web. Over time, the impacts accumulate to weaken the whole system, which then impacts human livelihoods.
Scientific evidence shows that horse mackerel primarily spawn at depths of 200 meters and shallower. The 200-metre isobath protection, introduced in 1990, was put in place as a fisheries management and conservation measure to protect juvenile fish species (such as horse mackerel and hake), reduce sensitive sardine/pilchards’ bycatch, and preserve important spawning and nursery grounds for commercially important species.
Knowing this, why did Cabinet reduce this restriction from 200 to 150 metres? Dr Brown described this issue as both a species‑specific risk for horse mackerel, and a symptom of broader fisheries‑management failures. He argued that the decision does not appear to be grounded in robust, science‑based evidence. Ms Mutorwa highlighted evidence of declining horse mackerel biomass and decreasing average fish size, indicating reduced recruitment and stock health. She noted that increasing fishing access to maintain catch levels, rather than reducing the fishing pressure or strengthening conservation measures, represents a short-term solution that could lead to long-term decline.
The discussion also noted overcapitalisation in the fishing sector, as too many vessels and quotas create incentives to fish previously protected areas. This approach risks repeating Namibia’s previous fishery collapses (sardines/pilchards; orange roughy), this time with more severe ecological and economic consequences.
Why should young people care?
Today’s young people are inheriting natural resources that have already been depleted. If these resources are not taken care of, future generations risk inheriting even less than we have now, if not nothing.
Ms Diina emphasised that caring for marine resources is not limited to those living along the coast. Healthy oceans support life far beyond Namibia’s shoreline – they influence biodiversity, food systems, climate and the overall national development. If this system fails, a ripple effect into all life systems occurs.
Additionally, she encouraged young people to translate environmental concepts into their local languages, raise awareness within their communities, and actively participate in conversations about natural resource governance. Building environmental literacy today will help preserve Namibia’s natural heritage for generations to come.
Conclusion
Namibia is blessed with enough resources capable of supporting both present and future generations. To ensure that this remains the case depends on science-based decision-making and responsible resource management. Public participation from young people is especially critical since their future is directly tied to the health of the country’s current marine ecosystems.
The consensus from the over 70 attendees of this webinar reflects a statement from the Namibian Chamber of Environment’s report on the issue: “These are national resources, and their management must reflect the long-term interests of the country as a whole”. A better tomorrow is a result of better decisions today.
Read a detailed report by NCE on the Conservation Namibia website.