The National Fisheries Indaba at Walvis Bay has ended with key decisions to strengthen science, protect marine resources, support aquaculture and ensure more Namibians benefit from the sector.

Prime Minister Elijah Ngurare has noted that digital reform could answer a critical question about who really benefits from the country's fish.

IPC MP Roderick Likando questioned whether the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform had lifted the moratorium which was supported by the founding president to oppose phosphate mining in the country.

Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform Minister Inge Zaamwani has challenged Namibia's fisheries sector to address five key questions on the protection, governance and economic value of the country's marine resources.

Namibia has enough fisheries data, but research presented at the first National Fisheries Indaba has revealed that the country is struggling to connect it into one trusted and transparent system for better decision-making.

Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform, Inge Zaamwani said Namibia is intensifying efforts to declare more marine protected areas as the country works towards meeting international biodiversity commitments.

Discussions between President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah and role players in the fishing industry have confirmed that the sector is unstable and facing a difficult transition.

Namibia's fishing industry, one of the biggest contributors to the economy, is heading into a transition.

The Landless Peoples Movement (LPM) has proposed a two-year, thorough joint scientific research project by the government and private sector into Namibia's ocean biomass.

This is to allow proper policy planning and intervention for an industry that has the potential to create more jobs. 

Namibia's approach to resource management at independence has been to rebuild its overexploited and depleted resources to the maximum sustainable level, especially its marine.

Vessels caught fishing illegally in Namibian waters could soon face fines of up to N$10 million.

That's according to Works and Transport Minister Veikko Nekundi, who said Cabinet has approved changes to strengthen the country's outdated fishing laws.