Africa-Press – Namibia. Namibia has launched the seals subsector technical committee to guide the development of an ethical and sustainable seal industry.
The move follows a theft of seal genitals valued at N$1 million at a Henties Bay processing factory that exposed the strong demand for seal products.
Thieves stole 696 pieces of bull seal genitals and 2 225 smaller pieces were taken.
The new committee will operate for three years under the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform.
Its task is to build a responsible seal subsector that supports economic growth.
The ministry’s executive director, Teofilus Nghitila, said the work requires cooperation among ministries to ensure natural resources are used in a way that benefits people and the environment.
The ministry said the committee is an important step in building a gainful, ethical and sustainable seal value chain.
It will manage activities related to seal harvesting, processing, market development and trade.
Its work includes updating the seal management plan, improving population management for seal colonies, studying how CITES listings may affect trade and promoting new harvesting and processing techniques.
The committee will also work to expand local and international markets for seal products and improve training to build local skills.
It brings together government ministries, financial institutions and industry members.
Ndeshi Shitenga from the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform chairs the committee, with Johnny Johnson Doëseb – a fishing industry representative – serving as deputy chairperson.
Members include the Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism, the Ministry of Industries, Mines and Energy, the Ministry of International Relations and Trade, financial agencies and seal rights holders.
The committee forms part of the country’s blue economy policy, which aims to support coastal communities and ensure fair access to marine resources.
Namibia is also working to strengthen its position in sustainable ocean development after launching the Namibia Ocean Cluster to increase the value of seafood harvests.
On Saturday, deputy minister Ruthy Masake visited Henties Bay as part of a two-day working visit.
She met with the management of Seal Products, visited the Cape Cross Seal Reserve and toured the Henties Bay processing factory, where she spoke to workers.
She said sustainable resource management supports coastal communities and strengthens the value of the marine ecosystem.
Masake said that responsible harvesting, done according to scientific, conservation and regulatory rules, is important for ecological balance and for industries such as leather goods and marine oils.
She said her work in the sector supports economic opportunity, food security, marine conservation and rural development.
For More News And Analysis About Namibia Follow Africa-Press
