Namibia Targets Global Salmon Market

In a move signaling a bold shift in the nation’s blue economy, Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform, Ruthy Masake, has called for the urgent development of a national salmon farming industry.

Speaking at the "Unlocking Namibia’s Salmon Industry" event on February 24, Masake framed salmon aquaculture not merely as a fishing project, but as a "strategic national mission" designed to spearhead Namibia’s industrial transformation.

From Harvesting to Farming - While Namibia is traditionally known for its wild-catch fisheries, Masake emphasized that the future lies in high-value, farming-based aquaculture. She noted that the cold Benguela current provides a unique competitive advantage for salmon, a species that commands premium prices in European, Asian, and North American markets. "We must now move beyond traditional harvest-based fishing toward farming-based fishing," Masake stated. "Salmon aquaculture goes beyond fish farming; it is about building an industrial ecosystem."

Economic and Environmental Resilience - The Deputy Minister highlighted several key pillars for the proposed industry. Economic Growth: Stimulating foreign direct investment and strengthening cold-chain logistics. Climate Resilience: Providing a controlled, predictable food source as climate change puts pressure on wild fish stocks and Sustainability: Leveraging green energy and scientific research to create a "model of sustainable blue economy development" for the African continent.

A Focus on Inclusion - A central theme of the address was the socio-economic impact on Namibians. Masake was adamant that women and youth must be at the center of this transformation. She called for specific financing mechanisms and technical training programs to ensure that the "new generation of skilled professionals" - including marine biologists, engineers, and logistics experts - reflects Namibia’s demographic diversity.

Concluding her address, Masake urged public and private stakeholders to move with "urgency and wisdom," asserting that by unlocking the salmon industry, Namibia can effectively close unemployment gaps and cement its status as a pioneer in aquaculture innovation.