Situated in the Southern part of Namibia, the Namibian Islands’ Marine Protected Area (NIMPA) spans 9,500 km², serving as a haven for a diverse marine ecosystem that includes endangered and endemic species like the African penguin and the Heaviside’s dolphin. These species not only contribute to the ocean's ecological balance but also hold immense economic and social value for coastal communities, providing sustenance, income, and drawing tourism.
Despite its ecological significance, Namibia's sole Marine Protected Area faces a multitude of threats, ranging from overfishing and illegal practices to climate change, pollution, and habitat degradation. The disconnect between society and the tangible value of marine life exacerbates these challenges, endangering the survival of species and jeopardising coastal communities' livelihoods. Recognising the urgency of the situation, NAMCOB collaborates with a consortium, including the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources (MFMR), Namibia Nature Foundation (NNF), The Southern African Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal Birds (SANCCOB), Blue Marine Foundation, and others, to address these threats and strengthen the management and conservation of NIMPA.
The NIMPA+ Project's overarching objective is to enhance NIMPA's management, ensuring the preservation of biodiversity and marine ecosystem services. This, in turn, aims to generate income opportunities for coastal communities while working towards the establishment of two new Marine Protected Areas at a national level.
As part of this initiative, NAMCOB plays a crucial role in conserving seabirds on the Namibia coast and in its marine exclusive economic zone, with emphasis on the most threated species. Our mission is to have a net positive impact on biodiversity and the sustainability of the Namibian marine environment through the protection and conservation of threatened seabirds.
In collaboration with esteemed partners, NAMCOB is committed to making a significant impact in safeguarding NIMPA and promoting sustainable marine conservation practices.
The NIMPA+ project is funded through The Blue Action Fund and supported by Oceans 5, The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB), Shark Conservation Fund, Namibian Chamber of Environment (NCE) and DEBMARINE NAMDEB Foundation.
