Af ter local investors and their international partners announced plans to venture into salmon farming, Namibia will soon have two salmon-producing companies.African Aquaculture Company and Benguela Aqua Farming are the companies in question.African Aquaculture Company has obtained an offshore licence for salmon production in the country from the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources. The company expects to produce 50 000 tonnes of salmon per year. The fisheries ministry has granted the company a 15-year licence and the company said the project was the beginning of commercial salmon farming in southern Africa. Its representative, Clement Kaukuetu, stated that the farming would be conducted on three offshore sites in the Atlantic Ocean near the port city of Lüderitz. According to Kaukuetu, the company will produce high-value, omega-rich Atlantic salmon for domestic consumption and export markets.The project is expected to employ 5 000 people in its various phases with the first phase expected to start in May. Kaukuetu said the project would be sub-Saharan Africa’s first commercial salmon farming and production facility. The Namibian operation will be backed by Norwegian expertise. The fishing sector is one of the most important pillars of the Namibian economy and is the fourth-highest contributor to GDP. In terms of employment, figures stand at over 18 105 people who are either employed on fishing vessels or land-based factories.Namibia’s marine products include hake, monk, horse mackerel, pilchards, deep-sea red crab, rock lobster, orange roughy and seals. “The licence, effective for 15 years, marks the inception of the region’s first commercial salmon farming and production facility,” said Kaukuetu.He pointed out that the project would harness the Atlantic Ocean currents to cultivate high-quality Atlantic salmon, adding that Norwegian aquaculture expertise would enable the facilities and operations to meet international standards.Kaukuetu added that working with its seasoned Norwegian partners would enable the company to implement sustainable farming practices. The other important aspect is job creation at Lüderitz, which is also becoming a centre for Namibia’s oil and gas exploration projects. Plans were already in place to set up a body that would promote salmon farming in Namibia to include other companies interested in salmon farming in Namibia and across southern Africa, Kaukuetu added. “A f r i c a n Aquaculture Company’s main goal is to create sustainable fish farming in the cold waters of the Benguela current.” Furthermore, Namibia is also in the process of implementing a Blue Economy policy that will incorporate the fishing industry and other industries such as logistics, mining, renewable energy, transportation and biochemical industries.Another company, Benguela Aqua Farming, has announced that it plans to produce Atlantic salmon and export it to key markets in Europe, the United States of America and Southeast Asia.The company is expected to create 600 direct and 1 500 indirect jobs. Benguela expects to produce 35 000 tonnes of salmon. Lüderitz mayor Phil Bilhao says Benguela Blue Aquafarming not only represents economic opportunity but also environmental stewardship. “Through state-of-the-art technology and responsible practices, we are committed to safeguarding our marine ecosystems and nurturing the delicate balance of nature upon which our prosperity depends.”Vice president Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah says one ton of salmon produced will require 1.2 tons of fish feed. She said 60% of fish feed content is plant-based proteins, which eventually will be produced in Namibia, thus stimulating local agricultural development.
