Casting for survival: Namibia’s most marginalised fish sector

Fishing for subsistence is the oldest and most sustainable form of fishing, dating back to 40 000–10 000 BCE. In Namibia, small-scale fishers have long been overlooked in policies. Yet the sector supports more than 1 500 seasonal and full-time workers, landing about 3 000 tonnes worth N$27.6 million annually.

Despite this contribution, these women and men remain among the most marginalised groups in the coastal economy. In other countries, they are considered ‘artisanal fishers’. Yet in Namibia they still face a lack of legal recognition, along with growing socio-economic and environmental risks.