Fisheries - Enviro Dynamics Namibia

F I S H E R I E S , M A M M A L S A N D S E A B I R D S S P E C I A L I S T S T U D Y
the extreme inshore region of northern Namibia), while a larger form appears to occur
throughout southern African offshore waters (Findlay et al. 1992, Peddemors 1999). The species
is not expected to occur in the mining area, but may occur offshore to the west in warmer
offshore waters.
4.3.4 Seals
There is small likelihood that Bottlenose dolphins will be found in the MLA
The Cape fur seal (Arctocephalus pusillus pusillus) is common along the Namibian coastline,
occurring at numerous breeding sites on the mainland and on nearshore islands and reefs . All
have important conservation value since they are largely undisturbed at present, as public access
to the southern Namibian coast is restricted. Atlas Bay, Wolf Bay and Long Islands (near Lüderitz)
together represent the largest breeding concentration (about 68,000 pups) of seals in Namibia.
Currently the largest breeding site in Namibia is at Cape Cross north of Walvis Bay where about
51,000 pups are born annually (MFMR unpubl. data). The colony supports an estimated 157,000
adults (Hampton 2003), with unpublished data from the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and
Fisheries (DAFF, South Africa) suggesting a number of 187,000 (Mecenero et al. 2006). A further
colony of ~ 9,600 individuals exists on Hollamsbird Island south of Sandwich Harbour. The colony
at Pelican Point is primarily a haul-out site. The mainland seal colonies present a focal point of
carnivore and scavenger activity in the area, as jackals and hyena are drawn to this important
food source.
Seals are highly mobile animals with a general foraging area covering the continental shelf up to
120 nautical miles offshore (Shaughnessy 1979), with bulls ranging further out to sea than
females. The timing of the annual breeding cycle is very regular occurring between November
and January. Breeding success is highly dependent on the local abundance of food, territorial
bulls and lactating females being most vulnerable to local fluctuations as they feed in the vicinity
of the colonies prior to and after the pupping season (Oosthuizen 1991). Namibian populations
declined precipitously during the warm events of 1993/94 (Wickens 1995), as a consequence of
the impacts of these events on pelagic fish populations. Currently, half the Namibian seal
population occurs in southern Namibia, south of Lüderitz. It consists of about 300,000 seals,
producing roughly 100,000 pups per year. Population estimates fluctuate widely between years
in terms of pup production, particularly since the mid-1990s (MFMR unpubl. data; Kirkman et al.
2007).
There is a controlled annual quota, determined by government policy, for the harvesting of Cape
fur seals on the Namibian coastline. The Total Allowable Catch (TAC) currently stands at 60,000
pups and 5,000 bulls, distributed among four licence holders. The seals are exploited mainly for
their pelts (pups), blubber and genitalia (bulls). The pups are clubbed and the adults shot. These
harvesting practices have raised concern among environmental and animal welfare organisations
(Molloy and Reinikainen 2003).
There is a high likelihood that Cape Fur Seals will be found in the MLA
Final Report
Namibian Marine Phosphate (Pty) Ltd.
Page 42