THE Ministry of Fisheries is to declare a protected marine reserve, 400 km long and 30 km wide, south of Walvis Bay.
The protected area, between Meob Bay and Chamais Bay, will include most of the offshore islands, such as Hollamsbird, Mercury, Ichaboe, Seal, Penguin, Halifax, Possession, Pomona, Plumpudding and Sinclair islands, as well as islets and rocks within two to three nautical miles offshore. Cabinet approved a submission in this regard by Fisheries Minister Abraham Iyambo’s during its meeting on September 2, according to a press release from the Ministry of Information.”A project team has been working on stakeholder consultations, zonation and management recommendations in the proposed area since 2005 and the Fisheries Management Committee approved the process and scientific justifications for the Marine Protected Area towards the end of 2007,” the statement said.All documentation was distributed for comment and a multi-stakeholder workshop took place at Luederitz in November 2007.The proposed Marine Protected Area consists of an all-encompassing buffer zone, which has been further sub-zoned into four different levels of increasing protection.Zone 1 represents the buffer zone with generalised and fewer restrictions, while Zone 4 represents areas of priority conservation and highest protection status and is allocated to islands, islets and rocks, as well as rock lobster and line fish sanctuaries.The Marine Protection Area has been designed to contribute to sound management and conservation of marine resources under Namibia’s jurisdiction, conservation of unique biodiversity hotspots and globally important bird areas and protection of the foraging habitats and breeding colonies of seabirds in the Benguela Upwelling Ecosystem, including those of a number of globally threatened species.It will also protect the spawning and nursery grounds of the commercially exploited rock lobster and some fish species.”It will improve vigilance with regard to risks posed by shipping-related threats, such as oil spills, and enhance Namibia’s international relations by illustrating steadfast commitment to international environmental treaties, regional and national needs and requirements and international law,” the Cabinet briefing paper stated.This first Marine Protected Area will be co-managed by the Ministries of Fisheries, Environment and Tourism, Mines and Energy and related bodies.Cabinet furthermore gave its approval to the Minister of Fisheries and Marine Resources to present the MPA management proposal and proclamation to the public and the media.Cabinet approved a submission in this regard by Fisheries Minister Abraham Iyambo’s during its meeting on September 2, according to a press release from the Ministry of Information.”A project team has been working on stakeholder consultations, zonation and management recommendations in the proposed area since 2005 and the Fisheries Management Committee approved the process and scientific justifications for the Marine Protected Area towards the end of 2007,” the statement said.All documentation was distributed for comment and a multi-stakeholder workshop took place at Luederitz in November 2007.The proposed Marine Protected Area consists of an all-encompassing buffer zone, which has been further sub-zoned into four different levels of increasing protection.Zone 1 represents the buffer zone with generalised and fewer restrictions, while Zone 4 represents areas of priority conservation and highest protection status and is allocated to islands, islets and rocks, as well as rock lobster and line fish sanctuaries.The Marine Protection Area has been designed to contribute to sound management and conservation of marine resources under Namibia’s jurisdiction, conservation of unique biodiversity hotspots and globally important bird areas and protection of the foraging habitats and breeding colonies of seabirds in the Benguela Upwelling Ecosystem, including those of a number of globally threatened species.It will also protect the spawning and nursery grounds of the commercially exploited rock lobster and some fish species.”It will improve vigilance with regard to risks posed by shipping-related threats, such as oil spills, and enhance Namibia’s international relations by illustrating steadfast commitment to international environmental treaties, regional and national needs and requirements and international law,” the Cabinet briefing paper stated.This first Marine Protected Area will be co-managed by the Ministries of Fisheries, Environment and Tourism, Mines and Energy and related bodies.Cabinet furthermore gave its approval to the Minister of Fisheries and Marine Resources to present the MPA management proposal and proclamation to the public and the media.
