But before Namibia can become a major player in this sector internationally, experts at the recent fisheries and aquaculture conference at Swakopmund emphasised, Namibian aquaculture first has to grow out of its baby shoes - mainly with more financial support.

Larry Oellerman, Chairman of the Namibian Mariculture Association, said while political will, enabling legislation and strong support from the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources are the strengths behind the industry, there are still many challenges that have to be addressed to make the industry a valuable asset to the country's GDP.

These challenges include limited access to suitable land and water paired with tough environmental conditions, lack of suitable species, trained human resources, limited international market access and no financial support.

According to Oellerman, incentives should be put in place to encourage the growth of aquaculture in Namibia.

"The public should be allowed to invest in collective infrastructure, such as water sources and electricity supply, as well as in research and development innovations," he said.

Capital subsidies through direct grants, low-interest loans or State-guaranteed loans should also be offered, while more work needs to be done to market farmed fish locally and internationally.

Earlier this year, the aquaculture industry - especially those involved in oyster farming near Walvis Bay - suffered a major blow when about 70 per cent of their stock was wiped out by several red tides.

This led to some of the farmers being pushed to the brink of closure.

Oellerman said support funds are needed to assist these farmers in such difficult times.

Short-term, low-interest loans and disaster insurance were some of his proposals.

Ekkehard Klingelhoefer, acting Director for Aquaculture at the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources, confirmed the challenges as stated by Oellerman, but said there was reason to celebrate the positive developments within the aquaculture sector regardless of the ups and downs.

Shellfish is currently the main aquaculture product grown in the sea and on land in Namibia, he said.

"Commercial marine aquaculture is presently dominated by farmers investing in oyster production followed by abalone, clams and rock lobster," he stated.

"There is still plenty of potential for diversifying."

According to Klingelhoefer, oyster production is growing rapidly, with production increasing from 247 tonnes in 2003 to 1 638 tonnes in 2007 (worth nearly N$140 million), with an expected exponential increase in production over the next few years as more markets become available to Namibia.

Local News Headlines Of The Last 48 Hours

•  Hishongwa hits out at 'newcomers'
•  Doctors to court over dispensing rights
•  Project money missing
•  N$20 000 fine for computer corruption
•  Police kill suspect after 'struggle'
•  Union wants NHE bosses' heads
•  2008 a year of political violence: DTA
•  Gender violence takes centre stage
•  Employers of disabled people awarded
•  Closure of copper mines adds gloom to Nam mining outlook
•  78 Zim farmers win land case
•  Floodgates open over Windhoek
•  Everyone except Swapo to blame for the violence, claims President