Namibia’s fishing industry is one of the country’s most vital economic sectors, renowned for its rich and productive Atlantic waters along the Benguela Current. The industry has grown significantly since independence in 1990, when Namibia gained control over its exclusive economic zone (EEZ) and implemented sustainable management practices. The top fish catches include horse mackerel (Trachurus spp.), hake (Merluccius spp.), pilchard (Sardinops sagax), monkfish, and deep-sea red crab. Hake and horse mackerel are especially important, both for export and local consumption, making Namibia one of Africa’s leading seafood exporters. The Namibian government’s focus on regulation, quota systems, and value addition has helped maintain fish stocks and promote economic growth, transforming the fishing industry from foreign-dominated fleets to a key pillar of national development.
| Rank | Fish Species | Metric Tons |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cape horse mackerel | 255,000 |
| 2 | Cape hakes | 135,000 |
| 3 | South African fur seal | 6,200 |
| 4 | Blue shark | 4,694 |
| 5 | Snoek | 3,500 |
| 6 | West African geryon | 3,000 |
| 7 | Freshwater fishes nei | 2,800 |
| 8 | Kingklip | 2,300 |
| 9 | Bigeye tuna | 2,070 |
| 10 | Panga seabream | 2,000 |
| 11 | Swordfish | 1,100 |
| 12 | Shortfin mako | 789 |
| 13 | Devil anglerfish | 750 |
| 14 | Sardinellas nei | 600 |
| 15 | Various squids nei | 400 |
| 16 | Yellowfin tuna | 356 |
| 17 | Cape dory | 350 |
| 18 | Orange roughy | 200 |
| 18 | Cape gurnard | 200 |
| 20 | Oilfish | 131 |
| 21 | Alfonsinos nei | 120 |
| 22 | Large-eye dentex | 115 |
| 23 | Cape rock lobster | 100 |
| 24 | West coast sole | 75 |
| 25 | Blue marlin | 8 |
| 26 | Sharks, rays, skates, etc. nei | 5 |
| 27 | Black cardinal fish | 3 |
| 28 | Pelagic armourhead | 2 |
| 29 | Oreo dories nei | 1 |
| 29 | Skipjack tuna | 1 |
Data from FAO. 2025. Global Capture Production. In: Fisheries and Aquaculture.