Also known as: OCN
Organization rescuing seals entangled in fishing gear and ocean pollution along Namibia's coast, with 876 seals rescued in 2023.
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The 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 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 →
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 →