Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Central Namibia also boasts bird species found nowhere else, such as the Namaqua sand-
grouse and Grey's lark.
FISH
The Namibian coastal waters are considered some of the world's richest, mainly thanks to
the cold Benguela current, which flows northwards from the Antarctic. It's exceptionally
rich in plankton, which accounts for the abundance of anchovies, pilchards, mackerel and
other whitefish. But the limited offshore fishing rights have caused problems, and there is
resentment that such countries as Spain and Russia have legal access to offshore fish
stocks. Namibia has now declared a 200-nautical-mile exclusive economic zone to make
Namibian fisheries competitive.
Endangered Species
Overfishing and the 1993-94 outbreak of 'red tide' along the Skeleton Coast have decim-
ated the sea lion population, both through starvation and commercially inspired culling.
Also, the poaching of desert rhinos, elephants and other Damaraland species has caused
their numbers to decrease, and the desert lion, which once roamed the Skeleton Coast, is
now considered extinct.
For the rest of Namibia's lions, survival is also precarious. From a high of 700 animals
in 1980, the number has now decreased to no more than 400. Of these, nearly 85% are
confined to Etosha National Park and Khaudum National Park. One problem is that re-
serve fences are penetrable, and once the lions have left protected areas, it's only a matter
of time before they're shot by ranchers to protect cattle.
The stability of other bird and plant species, such as the lichen fields, the welwitschia
plant, the Damara tern, the Cape vulture and numerous lesser-known species, has been un-
doubtedly compromised by human activities (including tourism and recreation) in
formerly remote areas. However, awareness of the perils faced by these species is increas-
ing among operators and tourists alike, which adds a glimmer of hope to the prospects of
their future survival.
