New salmon fish farm for Lüderitz

Benguela Blue Aqua Farming will hold a groundbreaking ceremony at Lüderitz on Thursday to establish what is reported to be Namibia’s first salmon farm.

According to a recent media statement issued by Namibia Investment Promotion and Development Board (NIPDB) senior manager Catherine Shipushu, the NIPDB facilitated the establishment of the first of its kind fish farm in the country.

“Benguela Farming will not only pioneer salmon farming in Namibia but it is also set to become one of the largest salmon farming projects on the African continent,” she said.

Shipushu said vice president Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah is expected to officiate at a groundbreaking event.

Salmon are typically both freshwater and sea fish.

According to Shipushu, Benguela Blue Aqua was established in 2020 and was granted a licence to produce 35 000 tonnes of premium Atlantic salmon off the Lüderitz coast.

The venture is projected to create 600 direct jobs and about 1 500 indirect jobs, ranging from specialist divers to administrative personnel, thereby stimulating economic activity at the southern town.

Shipushu said the NIPDB facilitates and promotes foreign and local investments and coordinates micro, small and medium enterprise activities across the economy, with the aim of contributing to economic development and job creation in the country.

This is part of the government’s efforts to develop the inland fishing sector, which has remained small compared to the country’s marine fishing sector.

Statistics on inland water catches are not officially reported and the Food and Agriculture Organisation estimates annual production at about 2 800 tonnes.

However, in October last year, the media reported that fisheries and marine resources minister Derek Klazen said inland fisheries in Namibia contributed N$126 million to gross domestic product in 2022.

Klazen noted that inland fisheries further supports 250 000 rural communities in northern Namibia.

“Rural communities in the northern regions derive food, income and informal employment from inland wild fish resources,” he said.