Namibia yet to pay for fight against illegal fishing
Namibia has failed to pay its annual financial contributions to the SADC Monitoring, Control and Surveillance Coordination Centre, which fights illegal fishing. While the government cites ongoing administrative processes, officials warn that the centre's current funding model is unsustainable.
Why it matters
Financial instability in regional regulatory bodies threatens the enforcement of maritime laws and the protection of marine resources in Southern Africa.
Namibia has not yet paid its contribution towards a regional centre tasked with strengthening the fight against illegal fishing, with the country expected to pay US$30 000 (about N$500 000) for 2024, 2025 and 2026.
The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform has confirmed that Namibia has not made its annual US$10 000 (about N$161 000) contribution to the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Monitoring, Control and Surveillance Coordination Centre (MCSCC).
The ministry says the contribution applies retrospectively from 2024, meaning Namibia is expected to pay US$10 000 for each of the three years.
The ministry received a formal request for the contribution earlier this month and says the matter is currently receiving attention in line with government processes.
The centre is headquartered in Katembe, Maputo, Mozambique, and was inaugurated on 11 June.
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