Summary

SAI Namibia conducted a follow-up audit of the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources (MFMR)’s measures to manage marine and inland fisheries resources in accordance with the recommendations provided by SAI in 2016. The audit covered the period from 2020–2021 to 2022–2023 financial years. Auditors came to the following conclusions: - the MFMR developed measures to re-build the sardine stock, but their implementation is hampered by natural factors, procumbent restoration processes, and lower penalties charged on by-catch landings; - sea patrol activities to prevent illegal fishing were planned and conducted, but their efficiency and effectiveness were lacking due to continuous repairs of patrolling vessels (delays in developing transport maintenance plans, seeking approval for maintenance, and in procurement), a reduction in the deployment of observers (to contain the growing wage bill), and inconsistency in the implementation of control measures; - despite the establishment of 10 community fisheries management areas, illegal fishing is still being recorded during closed seasons due to understaffing and relaxed enforcement by Angolan and Zambian counterparts; - the MFMR did not established landing areas at inland fisheries, as a result it is impossible to enforce the catch reports.