Namibia Restoration Project

The almost 6,000 sq. miles Namibian Islands’ marine protected area (MPA) is outstanding in biodiversity. It supports globally significant populations of seabirds and mammals, as well as important industries. But after its gazettement in 2009, no staff or budget was allocated to its development, and no management plan was ever ratified. It failed to protect many of its key values, and is threatened by overfishing, mining, pollution, untested phosphate extraction, and live mammal harvesting.  

Blue Marine has partnered with the Namibia Nature Foundation (NNF) to ensure that this area of outstanding marine biodiversity is managed sustainably and receives the protection it needs. The NIMPA boasts an exceptionally high variety of habitats, including lagoons, wetlands, salt pans, rocky shores, reefs, sandy beaches, kelp beds and several small islands. The islands are spawning grounds for the entire Namibian breeding population of Cape gannets, and almost all of the country’s endangered African penguins. The NIMPA is also home to endemic dolphins, six different species of whale and almost 70% of the global population of Cape fur seals.

With NNF and additional partners SAERI, Blue Marine is supporting the Namibian government to develop and implement a new management plan, zoning and regulations, and financing plan. We have conducted two workshops with the Ministry of Fisheries and the government is reviewing the updated management plan.   

The Blue Marine Economics team has put together an internal report of 11 different sustainable financing mechanisms. The team visited in October 2023, and our senior economist budgeted out costs with government officials.  

Blue Marine is also supporting the Ocean Literacy task team on guidance for educators and engaging resources for schools. In November 2023, we held a workshop in Swakopmund, Namibia to gather educational content around the seven UNESCO Ocean Literacy Principles. Attendees included representatives of primary and secondary schools, the Ministries of Education, Fisheries and Environment, and the University of Namibia.