Sea fisheries found on the west coast of Southern Africa

Recreational fishing off the coast of Namibia. Image credit travelnewsnamibia.com

• Fisheries of the Benguela cold current system cover the area along the west coast of South Africa, Namibia and southern Angola.
• The area on the west coast of Southern Africa is washed by the cold Benguela current which is rich in nutrients.
• The rich nutrient base gives rise to the growth of plants and microscopic organisms which provide marine organisms and fish with food.
• Plant eating fish species and flesh-eating species flourish in these areas.
• The major fish species are those originating from the Agulhas Bank.
• These include, anchovy, pilchards, mackerel, hake, kingklip, tuna and sardines.
• Rock lobster and crabs are important along the coast.
• Luderitz is well known for its rock lobster with 97% of the catch being exported to Japan.

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