Namibia and South Africa conclude first Joint Sea Patrol Operation in Walvis Bay
Namibia and South Africa today, marked the conclusion of their first Joint Sea-Based Fisheries Patrol Operation at a closing ceremony in Walvis Bay, following 25 operational days of coordinated maritime surveillance and fisheries enforcement across the two countries’ Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZs).
The operation, conducted from 5 to 30 September aboard the Namibian fisheries patrol vessel Anna Kakurukaze Mungunda, aimed to strengthen fisheries compliance, combat illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, and protect shared marine resources within the Benguela Current Large Marine Ecosystem.
Addressing the ceremony, Ms Marisa Kashorte, Director of International Relations at South Africa’s Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, emphasised the importance of bilateral cooperation in safeguarding shared ocean resources.
“Our maritime boundaries do not divide us. Rather, they connect us through a shared responsibility to protect the Benguela ecosystem and the valuable marine resources upon which so many livelihoods depend,” Kashorte said.
Mr Hafeni Mungungu, Director of Operations at the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform and Co-Chair of the Monitoring, Control and Surveillance (MCS) Sub-Committee, highlighted the significance of translating bilateral commitments into practical cooperation at sea.
In his closing statement, Mr. Mungungu said: “We have taken the theory of transboundary co-management and put it into physical, tangible practice across our Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZs).”
The operation recorded 94 vessel sightings, 12 vessel boardings and inspections, 12 detected fisheries infractions, five fines, one opened case docket and one fishing vessel detained and arrested. Approximately 32 tonnes of fish were seized, while non-compliant fishing gear was also confiscated.
The joint deployment brought together fisheries enforcement officers and operational teams from both countries, combining at-sea patrols with intelligence-sharing and land-based monitoring to strengthen enforcement across maritime jurisdictions.
Source : Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water & Land Reform
