Healthy marine ecosystems are vital to Namibia's economy, food security and the livelihoods of thousands of people. Across the country's coastline, innovative partnerships are demonstrating that marine conservation and economic opportunity can go hand in hand, creating pathways for a more inclusive and sustainable blue economy.

During a recent mission to the Erongo Region, UNDP Namibia engaged with the Namibia Nature Foundation (NNF), the Meme Itumbapo Women's Group and the Hanganeni Artisanal Fishing Association to explore how community-driven solutions are helping to protect marine biodiversity while strengthening local livelihoods.

Women-Led Solutions for Marine Conservation

At the Namibia Nature Foundation, UNDP Namibia met with the Meme Itumbapo Women's Group to learn how locally produced tori lines are contributing to responsible fishing practices and seabird conservation.

Tori lines are bird-scaring devices used by fishing vessels to deter seabirds from approaching baited hooks, significantly reducing seabird bycatch and mortality. Produced locally by the women's group, these simple but effective tools are helping to protect marine biodiversity while creating income-generating opportunities for women and strengthening local enterprise.

The delegation also joined inspectors from the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform (MAFWLR) aboard a fishing vessel to observe the deployment of tori lines during fishing operations. The visit provided valuable insights into Namibia's fishing industry and the processes involved across the fish production value chain.

These engagements highlight how community-based solutions can simultaneously advance biodiversity conservation, sustainable fisheries and gender equality. By creating economic opportunities for women and promoting responsible resource use, the initiative demonstrates how conservation efforts can deliver tangible benefits for both people and nature.

The experience also reinforces the objectives of the Benguela Current Large Marine Ecosystem (BCLME IV) Programme, which seeks to strengthen marine ecosystem management while supporting sustainable livelihoods and resilient coastal communities.

Strengthening Livelihoods Along the Coast

The mission continued with a visit to the Hanganeni Artisanal Fishing Association, where discussions focused on the operating environment of small-scale fishers and the opportunities to strengthen local value chains.

The engagement highlighted the importance of addressing market access, value addition, safety, equipment and sustainable resource use in an integrated manner. Supporting artisanal fishers is essential to ensuring that the benefits of Namibia's blue economy reach coastal communities, particularly women and youth.

As one of Namibia's key economic sectors, fisheries contribute significantly to employment, food security and export earnings. Strengthening small-scale fisheries and promoting sustainable resource management therefore remain critical to achieving the country's development priorities under Vision 2030.

The visit also provided a practical entry point for linking marine conservation with inclusive economic development under the BCLME IV Programme. By connecting biodiversity protection with livelihoods, local enterprise development and fisheries governance, such interventions can help build resilient communities while safeguarding the country's rich marine resources for future generations.

These engagements underscore the opportunity to build a more inclusive blue economy—one that empowers women and youth, supports coastal livelihoods and protects Namibia's marine ecosystems. Through partnerships that place people and nature at the centre of development, UNDP Namibia remains committed to advancing sustainable solutions that ensure no one is left behind.