The marine environment is critical to the natural and cultural heritage of the world. Not only do many marine areas support a great diversity of plants, animals, and natural habitats, but the oceans play an essential role in climatic cycles and other global processes. Marine ecosystems and resources are fundamental to the sustainable development of coastal countries such as Namibia, providing food, minerals, pharmaceuticals, construction materials, and a vast range of other products. They often support growing tourism and recreation industries and play a vital role in transport and in the culture and lifestyle of coastal people. . However, marine ecosystems throughout the world face increasingly serious threats from pollution, overexploitation, conflicting uses of resources, damage and destruction of habitat, and other harmful consequences of human development. Biodiversity is especially at risk. Conserving marine biodiversity is therefore a priority. The world has its eyes on Namibia in this regard, and the benefit of the pronouncing the first offshore MPA in the region would have immense benefits and exposure to our country.

The Benefits of MPA:     Conservation of biodiversity and ecosystems     Maintenance of genetic diversity     Protection of rare or threatened species and communities     Contributions to technology and scientific knowledge     Conservation of scientific reference sites     Conservation of cultural heritage     Educational opportunities     Contribution to sustainable tourism

It must be emphasized that the term “Marine Protected Area” has no single definition. It is not necessarily a “NO-NOTHING” area as often mistakenly understood. The definition of a Marine Protected Area (MPA) adopted by IUCN and other international and national bodies is: Any area of intertidal or subtidal terrain, together with its overlying water and associated flora, fauna, historical and cultural features, which has been reserved by law or other effective means to protect part or all of the enclosed environment. (Kelleher and Kenchington, 1992).

The main aims of MPAs identified in IUCN's Guidelines for Establishing Marine Protected Areas (Kelleher and Kenchington, 1992) are:

When considering the utility of MPAs for sustaining fisheries, it would be hard to argue that the attainment of any of these fundamental aims is not essential. They are, however, general aims and they can be expanded to the following purposes, most of which are relevant to fisheries (IUCN, 1994):

Because stoppage of resource use around the islands will clearly not be acceptable to most stakeholders, and therefore result in deadlock for the whole process of creating MPAs, a suggested IUCN category VI MPA is ideal for the Namibian Islands (Category VI - Managed Resource Protected Area: protected area managed mainly for the sustainable use of natural ecosystems). The IUCN category VI MPA is an area containing predominantly unmodified natural systems, managed to ensure long term protection and maintenance of biological diversity, while providing at the same time a sustainable flow of natural products and services to meet community needs. The area must also fit the overall definition of a protected area.

The objectives of management for the IUCN Category IV are:

For more information about IUCN guidelines and Categories, you can download the following documents:

The areas to be considered as potential MPAs are:

Section 51 of Namibia’s Marine Resources Act (MRA) of 2001 clearly empowers the Minister of Fisheries and Marine Resources to declare Marine Protected Areas as follows:

Source: Proclamation of Namibia’s offshore islands and surrounding waters as Marine Protected Areas - Heidi Currie

For more information about the proclamation of the Namibian Islands as a Marine Protected Area, download the following document:

First Marine Protected Area leads way to more along Namibian Coast

The proclamation and launch of Namibian Islands’ Marine Protected Area marks the first milestone for further similar areas along Namibia’s coast as part of the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries Management, to be implemented by 2010.

During the official launch last Thursday at Lüderitz (2 July 2009), the Deputy Minister of Fisheries and Marine Resources (MFMR), Honourable Kilus Nguvauva, said “Namibia can strive to be a forerunner in the African region, when it comes to stewardship of creation, and making the world a safer, better and healthier place”.

“With this in mind, as well as the legal commitments we are bound by, we should regard this first MPA (Marine Protected Area) as a pilot project, in order to apply successes, challenges and lessons learned to further areas that will benefit from protection. Examples could include offshore hake management areas, as well as the two coastal, World Heritage Sites at Sandwich Harbour and the Walvis Bay lagoon.”

The Namibian Islands’ Marine Protected Area covers almost one million hectares of marine and sea area where 10 small islands and 8 more islets or rocks provide sanctuary to an astonishing variety of life. This area stretches over 400 km from Meob Bay, north of Lüderitz, to Chaimas Bay south of the harbour town and 30 km into the Atlantic Ocean. It maintains essential ecological and life support systems, ensuring the sustainable utilization of species and ecosystems and preserving biotic diversity.

Seabirds and seals dominate the islands’ flora and fauna. Of the 14 seabird species breeding in Namibia, 11 species breed on the islands and inshore rocks including Namibia’s endangered African penguins and 90 per cent of the world’s endangered Bank Cormorants.

Breeding in the waters of the Namibian Islands’ Marine Protected Area are the southern right whale and Heaviside’s dolphin, with the humpback whale migrating, while the dusky dolphin, the mink whale and killer whale or orca can be seen here regularly.

The islands are biodiversity hotspots, zoogeographic transition zones and internationally known as globally Important Bird Areas. They also provide for the collection of oceanographic and biological data regarding climatic effects and changes, and the response to these by the marine environment.

The islands should ensure the protection of the following:

      • Spawning and nursery grounds of the commercially important rock lobster and promotion of the       recovery of some fish stocks, notably Silver kob (kabeljou) and steenbras, and other marine       resources,
      • Cetaceans such as the hump-back, southern right and minke whales, as well as our special       Heavyside to breed and feed,
      • Seabird colonies that breed on the islands and forage in the surrounding waters and a number       of globally threatened species of the Benguela Upwelling Ecosystem, as well as those of other       red data species, such as the critically endangered sea turtles.

Mr. Nguvauva said the MPA would assist authorities to maintain and improve vigilance regarding risks posed by shipping-related threats, such as oil spills.

The proclamation of the MPA illustrates Namibia’s real, serious and powerful commitment to international environmental treaties, regional and national needs, and international law.

He expressed his hope that this first MPA would also draw much-deserved attention to the community of Lüderitz, in the Karas region, especially in the face of ever-changing, economic and environmental climates. The marine resources should be preserved and utilized effectively for the benefit and health of all Namibians, now and in the future.

Mr. Rod Braby, Coordinator of the Namibian Coast Conservation and Management Project (NACOMA), said the proclamation of the first MPA has ‘championed’ the integrated approach to coastal management. It involved a team effort from the start which included major role players such as the line ministries, regional and local authorities, the private sector and non-governmental organizations.

“The link between the Namibian Islands’ Marine Protected Area and the recently proclaimed Sperrgebiet National Park and the Namib Naukluft National Park creates a land-sea link that promotes co-management between the Ministry of Environment and Tourism, the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources and regional and local authorities to work with the required synergy to reach a common objective.”

Wit the number of protected areas being proclaimed Namibia will have the largest connected protected area network in Africa and the 8th largest in the world. Namibia would also be the only continental country in the world that has its entire coastline protected, Mr. Braby said.


For more information you can consult the section of this website dedicated to the Marine Protected Areas, consult the Namibian Island's Marine Protected report under the Reports & Publications or download the pamphlet and poster below: