Observed fishery regulatory violations in Namibia and their possible implications for the sustainable management of fishery resources

Abstract

Fisheries management of the Namibian fishery resources has been based on the best available scientific and socioeconomic information. Monitoring control and surveillance (MCS) ensures compliance with regulations and management measures during the harvesting, handling, and processing of marine resources. While much research focus has been given to the scientific aspects of fisheries management, little has been done concerning the MCS. This study, therefore, aimed at providing an understanding of the fishery regulatory violations and their implications for the sustainable management of fishery resources. The above was achieved by determining the type and frequency of fisheries violations and assessing deterrence’s relevance of the monetary sanction given their present values. The marine resource regulations in place were found to be comprehensive and regulate the harvesting, processing, and handling of marine resources. The most frequent violations reported include discarding of marine resources, dumping of gear or non-biodegradable objects, and intimidating, threatening, and obstructing fisheries observers. A decreasing temporal trend in violations has been observed, which may indicate that compliance with regulations has improved over time (2003–2022). The fines prescribed were found to have potentially lost their ability to act as deterrence because of the time value of money, hence needing revision. The findings of this study offer potential grounds for Namibian fishery management authorities to revise and enhance fishery regulations and policies to prevent fishery regulatory violations. If these violations are not addressed adequately, they hold the potential to substantially undermine the sustainable management of fishery resources.