Namibia’s horse mackerel fishery, the country’s largest by volume and a significant contributor to its economy and employment, is being severely threatened by illegal fishing activities. Foreign vessels, often flying flags of convenience such as Cameroon’s and licensed to fish in Angolan waters, are illegally harvesting fish in Namibian waters, especially near the Namibia-Angola border. These vessels evade detection by switching off tracking systems, fishing at night, and transhipping catches offshore, resulting in estimated annual losses of about US$81 million for Namibia. Limited maritime law enforcement resources and complex ownership structures of these vessels hinder effective prosecution and enforcement.

Efforts to combat this illegal fishing include regional cooperation through the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Atlantic Project, which facilitates information sharing and coordinated monitoring among Namibia, Angola, and South Africa. This initiative aims to deny port access to suspicious vessels and improve evidence gathering for prosecutions. However, challenges remain, including the need for stronger law enforcement capacity at sea, transparency in vessel ownership, and stricter licensing policies to prevent exploitation. The issue also highlights broader problems of fisheries crime, corruption, and labor abuses within the industry.