Namibia’s oceans and inland waters are facing a growing threat from pollution. 

One of the most damaging yet least visible culprits is ghost nets.

These are abandoned fishing nets that continue trapping and killing marine life long after they have been discarded.

While the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources has confirmed it is “seized with the issues of pollution” affecting inland and coastal waters, recent developments and international research highlight the need for more targeted action and public awareness.

Ghost nets: an unseen menace

The World-Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) states that ghost nets – lost or abandoned fishing nets – are a major contributor to plastic pollution in the ocean.

They pose a significant threat to marine life. 

Even after being discarded, these nets continue to entangle sea creatures such as turtles, dolphins, sharks, seals and seabirds, often leading to injury or death.

Ghost nets are usually made from durable plastics, such as nylon, which means they can remain in the ocean for hundreds of years. 

Over time, they break down into microplastics, which marine animals may mistake for food. 

This can damage their internal organs and introduce toxic chemicals into the marine food chain.

A 2018 study published in Scientific Reports and cited by the WWF found that ghost nets account for at least 46% of the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, highlighting the scale of the problem on a global level.

Ministry response and coastal monitoring

In a written statement, the ministry acknowledged a range of pollution sources in both inland and coastal areas, including industrial discharge, agricultural runoff and the use of banned fishing gear, such as fine-meshed mosquito nets. 

These practices, particularly in rivers and lakes, are contributing to the decline of fish stocks and the degradation of aquatic habitats.

Along the coast, the ministry described recent incidents of marine life washing ashore as “distressing”, confirming that investigations are ongoing. 

Possible explanations include freshwater inflows, reduced oxygen levels and natural phenomena associated with the Benguela Current system, such as sulphur eruptions.

However, the ministry did not specifically address ghost nets or the broader issue of marine plastic pollution.

In addition, it did not outline any existing programmes or enforcement strategies to remove abandoned fishing gear from Namibian waters.

Impact on communities and fisheries

The ministry did not address how ghost nets and other forms of marine pollution may be affecting the livelihoods of coastal communities, particularly small-scale or artisanal fishers.

“Fishing communities are often the first to feel the impact of pollution,” said a coastal observer familiar with the sector. 

“When nets are lost or marine life is affected, livelihoods suffer. Recovery can be slow and difficult,” he added.

Around the world, organisations such as WWF are working to combat ghost nets by promoting gear tracking systems, refundable net deposit schemes and more sustainable fishing practices. 

Some programmes use technology to detect and retrieve ghost nets from the seabed. 

These approaches could serve as models for Namibia.

The way forward

The Ministry of Fisheries remains committed to the sustainable management of Namibia’s aquatic resources.

It continues to engage in monitoring and collaborative efforts with national and international partners.

Nonetheless, many environmental advocates are calling for greater clarity, stronger enforcement and community engagement on the issue of ghost nets and marine plastics.

With marine ecosystems under increasing stress, a coordinated and transparent national response is more urgent than ever. 

Unless addressed, ghost nets will continue to drift silently through Namibian waters – a deadly legacy of unmanaged marine waste.