NFDS Africa Supports the first capacity building workshop organised in Namibia as part of the Project ‘SADC Atlantic States’

February 2026– Per Erik Bergh (CEO and Managing Director), Andréa Durighello (Fisheries Expert) and Phil Snijman (Fisheries Consultant), travelled to Walvis Bay, Namibia to join a training workshop on “Strengthening the SADC MCSCC: Focus on Atlantic Coastal States.”

The three-day session strengthened national capacity for fishing vessels, risk assessments, supported alignment with SADC MCSCC. Participants also explored improved MCs inspection tools, including Body worn cameras and remote sensing. The workshop reviewed achievements from earlier SADC Atlantic project, introduced updates on the new initiative and advanced discussions on Sops for inspection. Officers also examined how to integrate Regional MCs tools- such as the SADC Regional register of fishing vessels (RRFV) – into national procedures to support stronger cooperation and combat IUU fishing.

A new project named SADC Atlantic States was introduced and it’s designed to address the specific needs of each participating countries(Angola, Namibia and South Africa) while contributing to the broader objectives of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the Benguela Current Convention (BCC). It also aligns with GIZ’s commitment to promoting sustainable aquatic food systems and strengthening good, inclusive governance.