Namibian hake fishery earns second MSC certification

NAMIBIA – The Namibian hake trawl and longline fishery has received its second Marine Stewardship Council certification, reaffirming its compliance with international sustainability standards five years after its first approval.

The certification applies to fishing activities targeting Merluccius capensis and Merluccius paradoxus and follows an independent review of stock status, governance systems, and ecosystem effects carried out by Control Union UK Limited.

This renewal follows the fishery’s initial certification in 2020, when it became the first operation in Namibia and the second on the African continent to be accredited under the MSC program.

According to the Namibian Hake Association, the reassessment process involved cooperation across vessel operators, processors, and regulators, with an emphasis on maintaining traceability and fisheries oversight.

Stock management and monitoring measures

The fishery operates under a joint management approach with South African counterparts, requiring coordinated scientific research and shared data to guide harvest levels and stock recovery planning.

Industry representatives report that since the first certification, Namibian hake products have entered several high value markets, particularly in Europe, supported by buyer requirements linked to environmental compliance.

Operational controls include at sea inspections, land based verification, and ongoing monitoring programs designed to evaluate impacts on vulnerable marine habitats.

With financial backing from the MSC Ocean Stewardship Fund, the fleet has also adopted targeted acoustic startle technology developed by GenusWave to reduce interactions with non target species.

Fishing sector officials estimate that the broader fishing industry contributes about 7 percent to Namibia’s gross domestic product and supports roughly 16,000 direct jobs, with additional employment generated through related services.

Meatco completes Norway shipments

Separately, Namibia’s Meat Corporation confirmed in October 2025 that it had fulfilled its annual beef export quota to Norway, shipping the full 1,200 tonnes allocated under the European Free Trade Area agreement.

The final consignment departed last week, closing deliveries to one of Meatco’s highest earning markets, which the company says provides more than 20 percent of its yearly revenue.

Under the Southern African Customs Union and Norway trade arrangement, Namibia supplies premium beef to Norway without import duties, allowing consistent access to the European market.

Meatco reported that 45 shipments totaling 1,153.5 tonnes were dispatched in line with Norway’s quota conversion rules to meet the 2025 target.

Despite completing the Norwegian allocation, national data show that Namibia’s total beef exports fell by nearly 50 percent in the second quarter of 2025 compared with the same period a year earlier.

Figures from the Livestock and Livestock Products Board indicate that the European Union absorbed 82.6 percent of exports, followed by Norway at 10.8 percent and China at 2.4 percent, with smaller volumes sent to regional markets.

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