Many of us may not be aware that Namibia is the proud home of the second largest Marine Protected Area (MPA) in Africa.
It spans about 400 kilometres, embracing a quarter of Namibia’s rugged coastline – 9 500 km2, and also includes almost one million hectares of sea.
The Namibian Islands Marine Protected Area (Nimpa) was designated in 2008 to protect globally significant populations of seabirds, marine mammals and other marine species which naturally thrive in these waters because of the nutrient-rich Benguela current.
While this designation might look good on paper, in practice it faces a number of challenges. To understand this, we need to take a step back and look at MPAs in general.
THE BENEFITS
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) in the US describes MPAs as designated areas for the long-term management and conservation of ocean resources, their benefits to human well-being and cultural heritage.
MPAs can vary between “no-take” zones, where mining and fishing are restricted, and “multiple use” areas in which fishing, recreation and industrial use are allowed but monitored.
Namibia’s protected area, Nimpa, encompasses important breeding sites, including islets, of endangered and critically endangered species.
They include seabirds like the African penguin as well as their feeding pathways, and the migration routes of whales and dolphins, including the once fiercely hunted Southern Right Whale.
Nimpa is subdivided into zones with strict protection goals, especially around the islands and impact management areas, where a shared use of industries is possible.
Although Namibia’s protected area spans a large area, it is small compared to the world’s largest MPAs.
The Papahãnaumokuãkea Marine National Monument in the Pacific, for example, stretches across 1.5 million km2.
Globally, 9.61% of the ocean is covered by MPAs and together 16 545 MPAs protect a total of 3 882 869 km2.
EFFECTIVE ECONOMICS
MPAs are one of the most effective tools in contributing to achieving the globally agreed United Nations goal of protecting 30% of land and sea by 2030.
That is one reason why they are essential but their impact reaches much further.
While overfishing, pollution, habitat destruction and climate change threaten the balance in our oceans. these protected areas offer a lifeline for biodiversity and protecting people’s livelihoods.
They also allow marine life to recover and thrive.
The impact goes far beyond these defined areas: it can be felt through what is called “spill-over effect”.
It allows for larger fish populations, greater biodiversity and more resilient ecosystems beyond their borders.
Despite their recognised importance, MPAs globally face multiple challenges that undermine their ability to be effective.
These include inadequate design, coverage and connectivity, ineffective enforcement and management, limited stakeholder engagement, climate pressures and lack of funding.
The Namibia Nature Foundation (NNF) has highlighted how Nimpa mirrors many of these obstacles – “threats from overfishing, mining, large-scale mariculture, climate change, ineffective management, and a disconnect between society and marine values”.
IT’S UP TO US
Namibia has a rich and thriving marine environment which uplifts coastal communities through tourism, mariculture and fishing.
Our Marine Protected Area is an effort to preserve our marine biodiversity and the livelihoods of people who depend on it.
Like others, Namibia’s protected area faces challenges.
It’s up to us Namibians to help reduce pollution, create awareness, support sustainable practices, and respect the rules.
While everyone can play a part, local and national governments also need to promote the protected area’s objectives. They benefit all of us.
- Damian Schreiber, field and research officer at OCN; involved in seal rescues, education outreach and awareness, and beach clean-ups. He holds a Master’s in ecology and society from the University for Peace (Costa Rica).
