Namibia: Integrated Land Use Curbs Effects of Climate Change

Lienette Goosen, Namibia Economist in All Africa.com, 29 May 2009

Windhoek — Climate change and resulting sea conditions can financially cripple businesses - especially those relying directly on seawater. The evidence is clear. Several oyster farmers and other industries took a knock and some even went under during the extreme red tide outbreak in March 2008.

A recent seminar on climate change presented by the Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Forestry shed some light into the effects of climate change and practices that can curb its negative impacts. Literally being a weathercock may have its advantages when it comes to staying financially afloat. The arranged visit to the Salt Company in Swakopmund underpinned the necessity of taking climate change and extreme weather and sea conditions into account.

The secret of surviving these extreme conditions lies in you ability to contain the influences. Our integrated system of the salt industry with the two other complimentary enterprises, guano and oyster farming, have proven to be one way to curb the influence to a greater extent," said Jannie Klein, managing director of the Salt Company.

"When we started with the Salt Company in 1936 it soon became evident that producing guano can be introduced as a complimentary business. The saltpan formed small natural islands and these were used by the sea birds as a safe overnight spot, keeping predators at bay. The birds and guano in turn led to our starting oyster farming in 1990. The guano fertilizes the top layer of water providing excellent conditions for a natural food chain - algae, worms, shrimps and then also oysters," he added.

Oysters are very vulnerable. Extreme sea conditions can cause a lot of harm resulting in financial losses, as input costs go up. The Salt Company however exploited the advantages the saltpans offered. The first big pan proved to be ideal for oyster farming. The reasons, according to Klein, being:

• the water of the pan being warmer than the seawater which enhances the growth of algae that serves as food for the oysters.
• the quality of the water is higher and can also be controlled better.
• during an outbreak of red tide, the pumping of the water into the dam puts back more or less all the oxygen that is lost in the sea.
• costs are less due to the integrated system. Water is pumped for the saltpan and not specifically for the oysters.
• breeding/cultivating their own oysters.
• the guano enhancing the growth of algae therefore a shorter period (cocktail size in 9 months) for harvesting the oysters.

"However, as with any other enterprise, our integrated system cannot fully protect us against climate changes. For instance less sunny days can have an influence on salt production as the evaporation is slower than normal," said Klein. "The value of seminars on climate changes where recent research findings can be shared and input given and requests made cannot be underestimated. It serves as a platform to keep businesses informed and providing them with essential information to make informed businesses decisions that is an integral part of economic viable strategic planning."

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