Empowering coastal communities for sustainable futures
“E
mpowering communities to safeguard our coastal ecosystems is crucial. When communities grasp their role in preserving marine resources, they become active stewards of the environment. This sense of ownership and responsibility is vital for the longterm success of conservation efforts,” says Clemens Naomab, a senior development officer at the Namibia Nature Foundation and a passionate advocate for sustainable marine resource management. “In Namibia, there’s a general lack of understanding about our ocean and its vast resources. While our focus often revolves around fish – due to both consumption needs and economic dependence – the ocean offers so much more. It’s important for coastal communities to grasp the ocean’s significance and how it intertwines with our daily lives,” says Naomab. The work Noamab is doing forms part of the NIMPA+ Project, which is looking to improve the management of Namibia’s marine protected areas, focusing on the sustainable use and conservation of marine resources. A key aim of this project is to boost coastal communities’ economic wellbeing through sustainable development practices and effective marine resource management. “Communities need to see how they can actively participate in and benefit from these resources. Traditionally, conservation efforts may focus solely on protecting specific species, but incorporating community involvement is essential,” he adds, highlighting the importance of local voices in conservation.
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Naomab has a long history of working with communities in the northwest of Namibia and believes that local communities are the backbone of wildlife preservation. He notes that Namibia is renowned for its effective community-based conservation, and by actively involving communities in sustainable practices, the benefits of conservation can be felt at grassroots level. The women of the sea A vital aspect of the project is collaborating with local fishing associations, such as the Benguela Infinite Fisheries and Harvesting Association (BIFHA) and the Namibian Women’s Fisheries Network (NAMFISHNET). NAMFISHNET represents small-scale women fishers who harvest ocean resources for income or food – an often-overlooked demographic in the fishing industry. “We are working with women’s groups like the Women in Business Association (WIBA) to enhance their market presence. They host market days where they sell their products, and we aim to amplify those efforts through training and support,” says Naomab, who adds that there is currently financial management training underway for WIBA and NAMFISHNET. Naomab also points out a recent scoping study conducted to assess viable aquaculture businesses. “There’s immense potential for these women to explore avenues like aquaculture,” he notes. “This sector is often commercialised, yet local participation remains limited.”