Supporting Small Scale Fishers in Lüderitz: New Equipment Strengthens Local Value Chains
Rob Barnes | November 12th, 2025 | News
12 November 2025, Lüderitz – The Namibia Nature Foundation (NNF), through the Blue Benguela Partnership (BBP) Project, has handed over equipment worth about N$50,000 to the Benguela Infinite Fishing and Harvesting Association (BIFHA) to improve local fish processing and value-addition efforts . The new tools will help members improve product quality, increase efficiency and create stronger income opportunities for small scale fishers in the town.
The Blue Benguela Partnership is supported by The Nature Conservancy and the Blue Nature Alliance. Through this collaboration, NNF helps coastal associations like BIFHA make greater use of the opportunities within Namibia’s blue economy while supporting biodiversity protection and community wellbeing .
Clemens Naomab, NNF Sustainable Development Officer, said BIFHA reflects the kind of grassroots leadership that links conservation and livelihoods. “We are proud to support BIFHA in creating sustainable opportunities that benefit both people and the environment.”
The Lüderitz Town Council, an NNF partner under a formal Memorandum of Understanding, took part in the handover. Public Relations Officer Elwin !Gaoseb emphasised how cooperation between the Council, NNF and BIFHA has grown into a productive partnership that strengthens local livelihoods and supports a shared vision for a sustainable future .
A central moment of the day came from a short testimony by Patlomeus Chanja, an additional board member of BIFHA. Speaking about the practical impact of the new equipment, he described how the lack of processing tools had held the group back for two years.
Patlomeus explained that members could catch mullet, but without proper packaging they could not add value or reach wider markets. The arrival of a vacuum sealing machine changes that. After smoking their fish, members can now seal it, extend the shelf life to about ten days and send products across the country.
In his words: “Today is a joyful day for us. One of our biggest pains has been how to add value to our catch. Now we can smoke our fish, vacuum seal it and send it anywhere in Namibia. Everybody will be able to taste haddas from Lüderitz caught in our waters.”
He highlighted that the shift is not only technical but also economic. Members can now catch fish not only for home consumption but also for sale, helping families earn cash, support schooling and take part in the wider fisheries value chain. Patlomeus thanked NNF and partners for enabling the community to make this step, adding: “We are very grateful to be able to add value to our catches and really take part in the fisheries value sector.”
The BBP Project supports national priorities for sustainable ocean governance by helping communities improve fisheries management, enhance conservation strategies and tap into innovative financing. NNF and partners reaffirmed their commitment to building inclusive and sustainable blue economy opportunities for coastal communities in Namibia
News
Namibia’s African Penguin on the Brink of Extinction
A powerful look at why the future of the African Penguin is hanging in[...] Read more
Balancing livelihoods and sustainable fisheries management
The newly published feature, “Sustainable Fisheries Management”, e[...] Read more