Sam Nujoma Marine and Coastal Resources Research Centre (SANUMARC) Overview

The Sam Nujoma Marine and Coastal Resources Research Centre (SANUMARC) is a full-fledged multidisciplinary research Centre of the University of Namibia with the mandate to promote research and development activities in the field of Marine Science and Coastal Resources. As expressed in the UNAM Act of 1992, UNAM has the research responsibility to undertake research, advance and disseminate knowledge, and to contribute to the social and economic development of Namibia. Located at the coast of Namibia, the SANUMARC is ready to claim its rightful position in the Marine and Coastal Resources research community.

SANUMARC serves Namibia through promoting research and development activities in the field of marine and coastal resources, taking into consideration the unique comparative and competitive advantage of the Benguela cold current ecosystem and straddling desert environment. Research activities at the Centre are geared towards developing the fisheries and aquaculture sectors, desert and coastal agriculture to complements research and development efforts by the Ministries of Fisheries and Marine Resources, and Agriculture, Water and Forestry, Ministry of Mines and Energy, and the Ministry of Environment and Tourism. The Centre is part of the United Nations University, as an Operating Unit of its Institute for Natural Resources in Africa, based in Accra, Ghana. SANUMARC has also joined the Global Atmospheric Watch (GAW), through its Aerosol Observation and meteorological stations. The Centre is home for the annual Regional Graduate Network in Oceanography (RGNO) since 2013.

The ultimate goal of the Centre is to develop the unique bio-resources of the marine and coastal ecosystems for human sustainable development, and to promote the application of science and technology in the response to major National Developmental challenges, which cuts across National self-sustainability and agro-processing; environment, energy and natural resources; society, lifestyles, and health; and indigenous knowledge.