Namibia dives into salmon farming with Norwegian know-how

WINDHOEK - A Norwegian-led group is setting up salmon farming operations off the coast of Namibia, which is aiming to become Africa's first commercial sea-based producer of the increasingly popular food source.

The cold Atlantic waters off Namibia and South Africa are considered ideal for salmon farming but previous attempts at large-scale production have failed.

With about one million dollars in investment, the African Aquaculture Company (AAC) is setting itself up for a first harvest in about two years, a company representatives told AFP.

A second licenced group, Benguela Blue Aqua Farming, is raising funds to begin its own operations.

"Namibia is poised to become the first African country to introduce industrial-scale Atlantic salmon farming," senior government official Kaire Mbuende said at a recent industry seminar.

It was a "bold and forward-looking step" that would create jobs and bolster the government's diversification drive at a time when the fishing industry -- Namibia's second-biggest exporter after minerals -- was facing from declining stocks, he said.

AAC, a Norwegian-Namibian tie-up, has already brought over a first batch of ova from Europe for "trial acclimatisation" at a freshwater hatchery in South Africa, it said.

If all goes well, the facility is expected to receive 50,000 eggs by the third quarter of this year.

More would follow, up to a maximum of 350,000, country director Clement Kaukuetu told AFP.

In the meantime, work will begin to build floating cages off Namibia's southern town of Luderitz.

After several months, the eggs will be transported from the Western Cape hatchery by truck to Luderitz, a journey of around 1,200 kilometres (745 miles) and released into the Atlantic waters.

NORWEGIAN EXPANSION

"The projected harvest of salmon for export or consumption will be at the last quarter of 2027 or early 2028," Kaukuetu said.

"We first aim to satisfy the local/regional market," he said.

"We are however in negotiations with possible offtakers in the Middle East and Asia."

AAC aims to produce 1,000 tonnes of Atlantic salmon annually in the pilot phase, reaching 51,000 tonnes at full capacity.

This is modest compared to Norway's own production of around 1.5 million tonnes a year, according to industry figures.

Chile produces around 700,0000 tonnes, followed by Scotland with nearly 200,000 tonnes.

Promoted as a nutrient-dense, high-protein superfood, salmon is gaining popularity in emerging markets such as China and Brazil, with the United States and Europe by far the largest consumers, according to industry heavyweight, Mowi ASA.

Demand is growing at about seven percent a year, more than double the three-percent growth in supply, it said in its 2025 Salmon Industry Handbook.

Branching out to Namibia, a largely desert nation of around three million people, offers room for Norway's crowded industry.

"Basically, there are no more areas left to increase and extend the production in Norway," AAC chief operating officer Robert Sandslett told AFP.

"We are operating according to extremely strict regulations.

"There is no shortage of salmon. There is shortage of available space," he said.

SALMON SWEET SPOT?

Cool waters of 10-15 degrees Celsius (50-59 Fahrenheit) off the Namibian and South African coast should make it a "sweet spot" for salmon, said aquaculture expert at South Africa's Rhodes University, Pete Britz.

However, harsh conditions dashed previous attempts to launch large-scale production in South Africa.

"Cages were smashed because of the high energy waves and exposure to high seas.

"Strong southeast winds create a major upwelling that pushes up deep water that is full of nutrients but also extremely low on oxygen," he said.

Further north, Luderitz has more manageable conditions, according to AAC.

Critics accuse salmon farming of creating pollution and disease among crowded fish.

Namibian ecologist Peter Cunningham warned of potential downsides to the country's new venture.

"These farms use insecticides, hormones, growth simulants, antibiotics to keep the fish healthy and all of that is going to go into the system," he said.