Also known as: CNFA
Confederation of Namibian Fishing Associations — fishing industry representative body that has challenged environmental approvals and raised concerns about sustainability and regulatory uncertainty.
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Windhoek Observer
Confederation of Namibian Fishing Associations expressed concern that one-size-fits-all approach could paralyse vessels and increase operational costs
“However, the Confederation of Namibian Fishing Associations (CNFA) had expressed concern that the "one-size-fits-all" approach could paralyse vessels, significantly increase operational costs, and negatively affect employment in the sector.”
Zaamwani slaps 50% levy on bycatch …as President engages industry on fisheries sustainabilityNew Era
CNFA warned that growing policy uncertainty is beginning to undermine investor confidence and threaten long-term sustainability
“The industry warned that growing policy uncertainty is beginning to undermine investor confidence and threaten long-term sustainability.”
NNN, fishing federation in crunch talksInformanté
The CNFA raised concerns over recently introduced policy contradictions and regulatory uncertainties
“During the meeting, the association raised concerns over recently introduced policy contradictions and regulatory uncertainties, warning that these could affect investor confidence and the long-term sustainability of the industry.”
President Nandi-Ndaitwah engages fishing industry on sustainability and sector challengesThe Namibian
Confederation of Namibian Fishing Associations chairperson warns that more than 90 vessels could be excluded from fishing grounds
“Confederation of Namibian Fishing Associations chairperson Matti Amukwa warns that more than 90 vessels could be excluded from these fishing grounds.”
Namibia fishing industry divided over cabinet relaxation of 200m isobath ruleThe Swapo Party Youth League wants the Cabinet to oversee environmental clearance decisions, arguing that ministers must supervise decisions within their ministries. Critics including former Cabinet minister Helmut Angula warn that Cabinet involvement could politicise the process and that administrators should remain responsible for ECC applications.
17 August 2026 · The Namibian →
The Swapo Party Youth League wants the Cabinet to oversee environmental clearance decisions, arguing that ministers must supervise decisions within their ministries. Critics including former Cabinet minister Helmut Angula warn that Cabinet involvement could politicise the process and that administrators should remain responsible for ECC applications.
17 August 2026 · The Namibian →
The Namibian editorial commends President Nandi-Ndaitwah for opposing seabed phosphate mining but criticizes the lack of clear policy, after environmental commissioner Timoteus Mufeti granted Namibian Marine Phosphate an environmental clearance certificate despite more than a decade of unresolved controversy.
16 August 2026 · The Namibian →
The Confederation of Namibian Fishing Associations has filed a formal appeal challenging the environmental commissioner's grant of an environmental clearance certificate to Namibia Marine Phosphate, arguing the company's mining licence expired years ago and the commissioner lacked authority to issue the certificate under the Environmental Management Act.
13 August 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah reportedly objects to environmental commissioner Timoteus Mufeti's approval of an environmental clearance certificate for Namibian Marine Phosphate's Sandpiper project to mine for fertilisers in the Atlantic Ocean, saying Namibia should not be used for an ocean experiment. The president held a meeting with senior government officials this week to express concerns about the decision made without apparent consultation on a matter of massive public interest.
12 August 2026 · The Namibian →
Independent Patriots for Change leader Dr Panduleni Itula has filed an appeal and legal objection against the Environmental Clearance Certificate granted to Namibia Marine Phosphate (Pty) Ltd for the Sandpiper Marine Phosphate Project, arguing the decision violates Namibia's environmental law and the precautionary principle, particularly given that marine seabed bulk dredging is unprecedented globally.
12 August 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
The Confederation of Namibian Fishing Associations has threatened to challenge the validity of Namibian Marine Phosphate's environmental clearance certificate, alleging the environmental commissioner failed to respond to repeated information requests since May 2022 and broke a July 2022 promise to provide a response before the certificate was issued on 5 August.
11 August 2026 · The Namibian →
The Confederation of Namibian Fishing Associations has enlisted lawyer Sisa Namandje to challenge the Environmental Clearance Certificate granted to Namibia Marine Phosphate for the Sandpiper Marine Phosphate Project, citing the Environmental Commissioner's lack of transparency and failure to address the industry's repeated concerns since 2022.
11 August 2026 · New Era →
The environmental commissioner issued an environmental clearance certificate on 5 August for Knowledge Katti's Namibia Marine Phosphate's Sandpiper marine phosphate mining project offshore Namibia, valid until 5 August 2029. The decision has triggered opposition from the IPC and conservationists who have raised long-running environmental and industry concerns.
10 August 2026 · The Namibian →
Namibia's environment ministry granted an Environmental Clearance Certificate to Namibia Marine Phosphate for proposed seabed phosphate mining, sparking division among Namibians. Critics including marine experts and the opposition warn the project could damage fish stocks and the fishing industry, while others argue it will create jobs.
10 August 2026 · New Era →
Hake catches fell from 40 005 tonnes in Q3 to 18 436 tonnes in Q4 2025, according to the Namibia Statistics Agency. Despite declining catches overall, fish export earnings rose 9.8% year-on-year to N$2.9 billion in Q4, with Spain remaining the top export market.
29 June 2026 · The Namibian →
Namibia's agriculture minister has implemented a Cabinet decision to increase the penalty levy on bycatch from 15% to 50%, citing alarming increases in bycatch volumes and threats to marine biodiversity. The ministry convened stakeholder consultations in response to some fisheries recording increases of more than 200% in bycatch over the past decades.
29 June 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah met with the Confederation of Namibian Fishing Associations to discuss the fishing sector's future, emphasizing that Namibia cannot remain a leading fish-producing nation while citizens struggle to buy fish and that sustainable management of marine resources must remain a priority. The industry warned that growing policy uncertainty is beginning to undermine investor confidence and threaten long-term sustainability.
26 June 2026 · New Era →
President Nandi-Ndaitwah met with the Confederation of Namibian Fishing Associations to discuss sustainability, sector challenges, and economic contribution to job creation and foreign exchange earnings. The CNFA raised concerns over policy contradictions and regulatory uncertainties, and highlighted declining fish stocks as a threat to the industry's future.
25 June 2026 · Informanté →
Cabinet approved a temporary 12-month relaxation of trawling limits for wet-landed horse mackerel from 200 metres to 150 metres starting 1 May, a decision the fishing industry views with division. The industry chair warns that over 90 vessels could be excluded from fishing grounds and the move contradicts government scientists' warnings about the 150–200 metre zone being a breeding and nursery area.
27 April 2026 · The Namibian →
Namibia imported nearly N$140 million in fish in the fourth quarter of 2025—a 40% increase from the previous year—driven by declining fishing quotas allocated to local companies, forcing processors to source raw material from South Africa and Spain to maintain operations and employment.
29 March 2026 · The Namibian →