Also known as: OCN
Organization rescuing Cape fur seals and other marine life entangled in fishing gear and plastic pollution along Namibia's coast.
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The Namibian
Ocean Conservation Namibia described ECC issuance as bad news for Namibia and marine conservation
“In a Facebook post, the organisation describes it as a "huge development" and says the clearance is bad news for Namibia, the Benguela ecosystem, the fishing industry, and marine conservation.”
Katti’s Sandpiper phosphate clearance upsets conservationists, politiciansInformanté
Ocean Conservation Namibia described the environmental clearance as 'bad news' for fishing industry and marine conservation
“Ocean Conservation Namibia described the issuance of the environmental clearance as "bad news" for Namibia's fishing industry and marine conservation.”
Marine phosphate mining project gets green light amid fishing industry concernsInformanté
Ocean Conservation Namibia argued that dredging could destroy marine habitats and create sediment plumes affecting water quality
“Ocean Conservation Namibia has argued that dredging the seabed could destroy marine habitats and create sediment plumes that may spread over large areas, potentially affecting water quality and marine life.”
Marine phosphate mining project gets green light amid fishing industry concernsThe Namibian
Ocean Conservation Namibia rescues Cape fur seals entangled in plastic and marine debris
“OCN rescues Cape fur seals entangled in plastic and other marine debris.”
Strangled by Plastic: The Silent Struggle of SealsThe Namibian
Ocean Conservation Namibia had rescued 265 entangled seals by end of June
“By the end of June, OCN had rescued 265 entangled seals.”
Strangled by Plastic: The Silent Struggle of SealsThe Namibian
Ocean Conservation Namibia rescued 876 seals in 2023
“In 2023, they managed to rescue 876 seals and in 2024, they helped 791.”
New documentary highlights Namibia’s seal rescue effortsThe Namibian
Ocean Conservation Namibia should be notified if suspicious animal behaviour or symptoms are noticed
“Instead, please immediately notify Ocean Conservation Namibia (OCN) or the state veterinarian if you notice any suspicious behaviour or symptoms.”
Avian flu detected in Cape Fur Seals for the first timeThe Namibian
Ocean Conservation Namibia (OCN) is contact point on central coast for seabirds in distress
“OCN is the contact point on the central coast for seabirds in distress.”
Small wins for African penguins amid a sharp population declineThe Namibian
Ocean Conservation Namibia rescued about 50% of more than 1,000 seals entangled in ghost gear in 2025
“In 2025, about 50% of the more than 1 000 seals rescued by Ocean Conservation Namibia (OCN) were entangled in ghost gear that would likely have killed them.”
Ghost Gear: A Global Crisis Unfolding on Our DoorstepThe Namibian
Ocean Conservation Namibia employs Damian Schreiber as Marine conservation communications, field and research officer
“Damian Schreiber is the Marine conservation communications, field and research officer at Ocean Conservation Namibia.”
Why We All Depend onthe Health of the OceanNamibia is advancing sustainable use of marine resources through an integrated management approach that supports local communities and fair economic benefits while protecting ocean health. Current ocean industries include fishing, aquaculture, mining, shipping, and tourism, with future opportunities in renewable energy, marine biotechnology, and carbon trading.
13 August 2026 · The Namibian →
Namibia is advancing sustainable use of marine resources through an integrated management approach that supports local communities and fair economic benefits while protecting ocean health. Current ocean industries include fishing, aquaculture, mining, shipping, and tourism, with future opportunities in renewable energy, marine biotechnology, and carbon trading.
13 August 2026 · The Namibian →
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 →
Namibian Marine Phosphate received an Environmental Clearance Certificate for its Sandpiver Project, an offshore marine phosphate mining operation, despite sustained opposition from Namibia's fishing industry and environmental groups who warn of potential damage to marine ecosystems and fisheries.
10 August 2026 · Informanté →
The Namibian government has temporarily allowed horse mackerel fishing in waters as shallow as 150 metres between Walvis Bay and Lüderitz until April 2027, relaxing a decades-old 200-metre isobath guideline that has protected young fish. Conservation experts warn the decision lacks sufficient scientific evidence and could harm both the ocean and the fishing industry, particularly as Namibia depends heavily on horse mackerel and hake following the collapse of sardine and anchovy fisheries.
30 July 2026 · The Namibian →
André Ross claimed his fifth consecutive Brandberg Backyard Ultra victory, breaking the men's course record with 25 laps as both men's and women's course records fell during the fifth edition of the race held in Uis.
19 July 2026 · The Namibian →
The Brandberg Backyard Ultra, an endurance event with no fixed finish line where runners complete 6.706 km loops hourly until only one remains, takes place on Saturday at Brandberg Rest Camp near Uis. André Ross, who has won all four previous editions and holds the course record of 22 laps (147.5 km), returns as defending champion, with elite competition expected from ultra-runners across the region.
17 July 2026 · The Namibian →
The fifth RMB Brandberg Backyard Ultra will take place Saturday at Brandberg Rest Camp near Uis. Athletes complete 6.706 km loops every hour until only one runner remains capable of finishing within the allotted time; André Ross has won all four previous editions and holds the course record of 22 laps (147.5 km).
17 July 2026 · The Namibian →
Ocean Conservation Namibia reports that plastic pollution poses a serious threat to marine life along Namibia's coast. The organisation has rescued 265 entangled Cape fur seals by end of June, with most affected seals unable to survive without intervention.
16 July 2026 · The Namibian →
Namibia is home to 87 species of sharks, rays, skates and chimaeras, of which 29 are listed as threatened on the IUCN Red List. Despite their importance to marine ecosystems in maintaining balance and supporting fish stocks, research on these species in Namibia remains limited.
2 July 2026 · The Namibian →
Small-scale fishers in Namibia support more than 1,500 seasonal and full-time workers and land about 3,000 tonnes worth N$27.6 million annually, but remain overlooked in policy and lack legal recognition under the Marine Resources Act, which classifies only commercial and recreational fishers and effectively prohibits small-scale fishers from selling their catch.
4 June 2026 · The Namibian →
'Unseen Line', a 13-minute documentary by Loft Arts, follows rescuers protecting seals along Namibia's coastline from ocean pollution including fishing lines and plastic waste. The film premieres on 8 June, World Ocean Day, and features Ocean Conservation Namibia's work rescuing 876 seals in 2023 and 791 in 2024.
28 May 2026 · The Namibian →
A Cape Fur Seal in South Africa was confirmed infected with avian influenza in early April, marking the first recorded case of bird flu in the species. Scientists now worry the virus could spread to Namibia's seal populations through seabirds and contaminated water, especially given that seals and seabirds travel long distances along the coast between the two countries.
21 May 2026 · The Namibian →
A female African penguin was successfully released back into the wild on Halifax Island near Lüderitz after 49 days of care by the Namibian Foundation for the Conservation of Seabirds. With fewer than 10,000 breeding pairs globally and the species listed as Critically Endangered in October 2024, Namibia's penguin population has declined more than 82% since 1979.
7 May 2026 · The Namibian →
Namibia's coastline hosts scavenging species including brown hyenas, black-backed jackals, and vultures that play vital roles in maintaining ecological balance by feeding on marine carcasses. These 'beach cleaners' prevent disease spread and facilitate nutrient exchange between ocean and land, though they also face challenges including rabies transmission and endangerment.
16 April 2026 · The Namibian →
Warming oceans and changes in the Benguela Current ecosystem—including shifts in the Angola-Benguela Front and so-called 'Benguela Niño' events—are preventing recovery of sardine, hake, and lobster populations and endangering seabirds, putting coastal livelihoods and fishing businesses at Walvis Bay and Lüderitz at risk. Long-term research is needed to better understand these trends and adapt management to protect both wildlife and coastal communities.
4 April 2026 · The Namibian →
Ghost gear—lost or discarded fishing equipment—persists in oceans for centuries, trapping and killing marine life including seals, dolphins, and whales. In Namibia, about half of the seals rescued by Ocean Conservation Namibia in 2025 were entangled in such gear, and globally approximately 640,000 tonnes of ghost gear enter the ocean annually, making up roughly 10% of all ocean plastic.
20 February 2026 · The Namibian →