The N$4 billion salmon project development near the southern coastal town of Luderitz, expected to produce 51 tonnes of salmon and create 5000 jobs at full production, is a step closer to reality.
Namibia Atlantic Salmon Holdings, the project's holding company and African Aquaculture Company, which is the project's operational partner, is behind the billion-dollar envisaged development.
Salmon eggs are expected to be imported soon for hatching at the freshwater salmon smolt production hub near Paarl, South Africa.
African Aquaculture Company Country Director in Namibia Clement Kaukueta revealed this during the engagement with ||Kharas regional leadership held in Keetmanshoop.
The engagement, themed 'Unlocking Namibia's Salmon Industry – Opportunity to Industrialisation', provided an important opportunity to share regional perspectives, consider local expectations and opportunities, and strengthen cooperation among all stakeholders.
"We are looking about a month from now to import the first commercial batch of eggs of about 50 000 eggs into the facility. And then we will time that in line with the production plan to perhaps every three months bring in the same amount so that we have a continuous supply of smolt, or baby fish, from the facility into the sea in Luderitz. As we also want to have a continuous supply of adult fish from the facility into the market."
Kaukueta also highlighted potential spin-offs of the project.
The Namibia Industrial Development (NIDA) has 40% equity in Namibia Atlantic Salmon Holdings.
The Deputy Minister of Industries, Mines and Energy, Gaudentia Krohne, said salmon farming has the potential to become an important contributor to the country's economic diversification agenda.
"It offers prospects of investments, industrialisation, job creation and export growth. Through its mandate to promote industrial development, facilitate investment, strengthen infrastructure and support innovation, MIME can play a pivotal role in transforming salmon farming into a thriving and sustainable industry."
Plans are also on cards to set up a small production hub at Oranjemund to facilitate hatching.