Namibia hake has achieved its second MSC certification, helping to meet the global demand for sustainable whitefish while protecting local livelihoods and biodiversity.
In 2020, the Namibia hake trawl and longline fishery targeting two species of hake, Merluccius capensis and M. paradoxus, became the first fishery in Namibia, and the second in Africa, to meet the globally recognised, science-based standard for sustainable fishing set by the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC). Today, the fishery achieved its second MSC certification after a rigorous, independent assessment led by Control Union (UK) Limited, which examined the hake stocks, and the fishery’s management processes and ecosystem impacts.
Matti Amukwa, Chair of Namibian Hake Association, added: “Since [the country’s] Independence, the government, scientists and industry have worked hand-in-hand to rebuild the hake resource and create a profitable fishing industry that gives back to people and the environment. Achieving MSC certification, first in 2020 and now, has been a team effort and provides assurance to the world that we are committed to the sustainability of Namibian hake.”
As part of the stock rebuilding plan, the fishery has implemented a clear harvest strategy with catch targets set in line with scientific advice. The MSC certified Namibian and South African hake trawl counterparts, targeting the same M. paradoxus stock, are required to collaborate and share information on their stock assessments.
In addition to high rates of observer coverage at sea and effective on-land monitoring and surveillance, the fishery has also implemented a program to evaluate risks to sensitive habitats.
Namibian hake fishers continue to assess and manage their impacts on Cape fur seals and seabirds, ensuring fleet-wide deployment of bird-scaring lines and trialling an acoustic deterrent in their efforts to mitigate interactions with seals. Supported by the MSC’s Ocean Stewardship Fund, the fishery is working with international bio-acoustic expert, Dr. Thomas Götz, and sound technology manufacturers, GenusWave, to test and deploy targeted acoustic startle technology (TAST) to safely deter seals from hake fishing boats.
MSC Program Director for Africa, the Middle East and South Asia, Michael Marriott, congratulated the fishery on its recertification: “We applaud the Namibian Hake Association, the Ministry and their partners for securing their second MSC certificate. What has been very positive in the case of Namibia is not only the stakeholder collaboration within the country, but also the cooperation with external experts and other stakeholders operating on the same resource. There is a drive to improve, to explore new technological innovations, and a commitment to safeguard the hake resource for the future.”
MSC certification has given Namibia hake a competitive edge, helping to meet the demand in existing markets as well as expand into new markets where retailers and brands preferentially stock MSC certified whitefish in line with consumer expectation.
“Our hake has gained very much in popularity over the last few years, and I think one of the main reasons is that the resource is certified as sustainable and we can show this with the MSC’s ecolabel on our products. Since the first certification, we have gained access to several new, high-value markets and are known in Europe, and elsewhere, for our quality hake, and good environmental and ethical practices,” said Tristan Przybylski of Seawork Fish Processors.
Beyond the environmental performance of their fishery, the sector is also committed to explore other ways of ensuring sustainability. In 2024, six certified hake members, in partnership with the scientific community, launched the Namibia Ocean Cluster; a not-for-profit with the aim to maximise the utilisation of the complete harvest, promote innovation, and develop markets for fishery by-products while enhancing socio-economic benefits for the coastal communities dependent on the hake resource.
Miguel Angel Tordesillas of Novanam & Nueva Pescanova explained: “The fishing industry is very important to our country. Not only does it contribute roughly 7% to the Namibian GDP, it also employs in the region of 16,000 people in direct jobs, and indirectly, you could easily use a coefficient of three. Of this, the hake industry is the biggest constituency of the Namibian fishing industry.”
The MSC works with fisheries around the world to combat overfishing, including six MSC certified African fisheries supplying the global seafood supply chain with sustainable hake and tuna.