National Plan of Action to Prevent, Deter and Eliminate Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated Fishing, 2007.

Management and development of fisheries in Namibia is the responsibility of the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources (MFMR). MFMR’s Mission Statement is: “To strengthen Namibia’s position as a leading fishing nation and to contribute towards the achievement of our economic, social and conservation goals for the benefit of all Namibians”. Since independence, policy for the sector has been, and continues to be, driven by the following key document: Towards Responsible Development of the Fisheries Sector (1991, revised 2004). Actions specified under the current policy to address IUU fishing include: Development and implementation of national plans of action in support of the various FAO international plans of action, relating to, inter alia, IUU fishing, sea birds, fishing capacity and sharks. Introduction of a national satellite –based Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) to provide for real time monitoring of vessel movement and activities, and to assist in curbing IUU fishing activities within and outside the EEZ by Namibian flagged vessels. The introduction of the VMS is intended also to enable Namibia to comply with requirements by international fisheries management organisations to which Namibia is a contracting party. Enforce port state responsibilities over all vessels visiting Namibian ports and implement measures to take legal action against vessels that engage in Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated fishing. Enforce flag state responsibilities over all vessels flying the Namibian flag in respect to national fisheries legislation as well as management and conservation measures laid down in international plans of action, conventions and agreements for the conservation of marine resources to which Namibia is a party. The document acknowledges that policy statements and legislation alone cannot achieve results in fighting IUU fishing and therefore adequate human, financial and material resources shall be made available by MFMR for MCS operations.