BRIDGING THE KNOWLEDGE GAP AMONG VARIOUS STAKEHOLDERS OF NAMIBIA'S RECREATIONAL FISHERY SECTOR
Shore-based recreational fishing is one of four sectors of the Namibian marine line-fishery, along with commercial line-fishing from ski-boats, recreational angling from ski-boats, and commercial line-fishing from larger vessels. As in other countries, shore-based recreational angling has been identified as the most important sector of the Namibia inshore line-fish fishery.
Shore-based recreational fishing is one of four sectors of the Namibian marine line-fishery, along with commercial line-fishing from ski-boats, recreational angling from ski-boats, and commercial line-fishing from larger vessels. As in other countries, shore-based recreational angling has been identified as the most important sector of the Namibia inshore line-fish fishery.
Photos courtesy of Namibian Recreational Anglers and University of Namibia MSc students [Angelika Veii, Sandy Nghiphangelwa & Arariky Shikongo], collecting steenbras biological samples for their respective projects.
For my current postdoctoral fellowship with the University of Namibia under the supervision of Dr Margit R Wilhelm and funded by One Ocean Hub, I will be working to identify the most important research questions or priority areas, angler knowledge and perspectives on the current regulations put in place by the Ministry of Fisheries. The ultimate aims were to raise awareness and prioritise how knowledge is generated to support better management and improved sustainability of recreational fisheries in Namibia, including positioning the sector to adapt to a changing world.
A CHANGING CLIMATE: SPATIO-TEMPORAL PATTERNS OF CATCH, EFFORT, AND CPUE BY RECREATIONAL ANGLERS IN NAMIBIA IN RESPONSE TO SHIFTS IN SEA SURFACE TEMPERATURE
Despite considerable progress in recent years, predicting the impact of climate change on marine ecosystems or how fish stocks are adapting to rising sea temperatures is still subject to much uncertainty.
In this study we will assess whether our understanding of the impact of sea warming on marine fish can be enhanced with an interdisciplinary approach that collates data from fishermen and scientific research. This is because, in addition to the critical environmental issues, for better management of coastal fish resources there is the need to adequately identify the extent of use by anglers. Understanding how angling catch rates vary with abiotic and general limnological variables is also important to interpret available angling records in the light of underlying population developments. By doing this, we aim to shed light on the major changes in the abundance and diversity of fish within the Namibian waters in recent decades in relation to sea warming.