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The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform (MAFWLR) has officially established the Seals Sub-Sector Technical Committee (SSTC) — a new specialized body dedicated to promoting the sustainable, ethical, and economically viable management of Namibia’s seal industry.
According to the ministry, the SSTC has been granted a three-year mandate to design and execute strategies that reinforce responsible resource utilization, improve processing efficiencies, and enhance value addition throughout the seal product value chain.
Speaking at the launch, MAFWLR Executive Director Teofilus Nghitila emphasized that the committee’s formation marks a critical step in fostering stronger collaboration between government entities and private-sector players. This cooperation, he said, aims to ensure that Namibia’s marine resources are harnessed in a responsible, transparent, and sustainable manner.
Nghitila further explained that the SSTC will unite experts, regulatory authorities, and industry operators to promote environmentally sound harvesting practices while simultaneously expanding economic prospects in the seal sub-sector.
The ministry outlined that the committee’s core functions will include coordinating activities related to seal management, facilitating trade, and supporting market development. Its specific duties encompass reviewing and updating the Seals Management Plan, implementing population management measures, assessing the potential impact of CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species) listings on trade, and fostering innovation and public awareness around ethical harvesting and product processing.
Additionally, the SSTC will focus on expanding market access at domestic, regional, and international levels. To achieve this, the committee plans to develop practical tools such as a pocket guide on seal harvesting and market access procedures, promote stronger collaboration among stakeholders, and enhance training and capacity-building programmes across the industry.
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Chaired by the MAFWLR, the SSTC brings together a diverse range of stakeholders, including representatives from the Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism; the Ministry of Industrialisation, Trade and SME Development; the Ministry of Health and Social Services; the Development Bank of Namibia; the Bank of Namibia; the Namibia Revenue Agency (NamRA); the Namibia Investment Promotion and Development Board (NIPDB); the Namibia Trade Forum; the Namibia Standards Institution; and the Fisheries Observers Agency, alongside seal rights holders and industry operators.
Through these coordinated efforts, the SSTC aims to transform Namibia’s seal industry into a model of sustainability, ethical practice, and inclusive economic growth.