Fishing laws and regulations may vary between different countries. This is often as a result of differences in the oceanographic conditions and subsequent differences in fish species that occur in the waters in these countries.
For example, Mozambique on the East coast of Africa has a tropical climate and therefore you may find that the main commercial species there are quite different from those found in most of South Africa, except in KwaZulu-Natal. Namibia on the other hand, being part of the Benguela Large Marine Ecosystem in the South-east Atlantic, shares many species and even fish stocks with the West coast of South Africa.
In 2001 the member states of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) signed a Protocol on Fisheries. To download this protocol, click on the PDF below:
Mozambique
Mozambique is perhaps best known for its “LM” (Lorenco Marques) prawns, but this East African country with a tropical climate has a long coastline with many other valuable marine resources. Mozambique is also the favourite holiday destination of many South Africans, and is often synonymous with excellent seafood.
Mozambican fisheries can be divided into three main sectors: artisanal, semi-industrial, and industrial. Much of Mozambican seafood land up on South African diners in Gauteng, and there is concern about the lack of regulation of some of these "imports". Areas of particular concern are the sales of tropical reef -dwelling fish such as rockcods and parrotfish, and rock lobster tails.
To find out more about Mozambican fisheries research visit the Instituto Nacional de Investigação Pesqueira (IIP) website or visit The Ministry of Fisheries page.
(NOTE: These pages are only available in Portuguese).
Also visit the WWF Mozambique website for more information about conservation in the region.
Namibia
Namibia’s well developed fishing industry is one of its most important foreign revenue earners. Commercial and recreational fishing and aquaculture activities are carried out, and the main targets include hake, sardines, and West Coast rock lobster. A number of Namibian fish stocks have shown worrying declining trends in recent years, such as the small pelagic species. Many South Africans visit Namibia each year to try and catch some of its famous linefish like the West Coast Steenbras and Kabeljou.
The Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources manages the marine resources of this West African country. To view the regulations applicable to recreational anglers in Namibia click here.