250603005881 - PROPOSED SEAL OIL & SEAL PRODUCTS PROCESSING PLANT ON PORTION 105 OF HENTIES BAY TOWNLAND NO. 133, HENTIES BAY, ERONGO REGION, NAMIBIA

The project involves the establishment of a sophisticated bio-processing facility by Virgo Biotechnology Pty Ltd, a Namibian-owned enterprise, for the sustainable valorization of marine mammal biomass, specifically Cape Fur Seals (Arctocephalus pusillus pusillus). This industrial initiative, located on Portion 105 of Henties Bay Townland No. 133, encompasses a 25-hectare site designed to integrate advanced biotechnological processes for comprehensive resource utilization. The core of the operation involves the controlled harvesting of seal populations, specifically an initial quota of 600 bulls and 2,000 pups annually, with provisions for expansion to 8,000 bulls and 40,000 pups. This raw material is then subjected to a multi-product processing paradigm to yield high-value commodities: 1. Pharmaceutical-grade Seal Oil: This involves the extraction and purification of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), such as Eicosapentaenoic Acid (EPA) and Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA), which are known for their nutraceutical and pharmaceutical applications. The process likely involves rendering, centrifugation, and potentially molecular distillation or chromatographic techniques to achieve the desired purity and concentration of beneficial lipids. 2. Leather Industry Pelts: The pelts, a significant co-product, will undergo tanning and finishing processes to produce raw material for the global leather industry. This involves biochemical and mechanical treatments to enhance durability, flexibility, and aesthetic properties. 3. Export-grade Meat Products: Seal meat will be processed for human consumption, adhering to stringent international food safety and hygiene standards for export markets. This necessitates proper handling, chilling/freezing, and packaging protocols to maintain product integrity and extend shelf life. 4. Biodiesel Production from Blubber: The lipid-rich blubber fraction, often considered a by-product, will be utilized for the production of biodiesel. This typically involves transesterification, a chemical reaction that converts triglycerides into fatty acid methyl esters (FAME), the primary component of biodiesel. 5. Specialized By-products: The extraction of specific biological components, such as genitals for traditional medicine markets, indicates a comprehensive approach to maximizing the economic return from all biological fractions, potentially involving specialized extraction and preservation techniques. The entire project is predicated on adherence to strict environmental regulatory frameworks, notably the Environmental Management Act (EMA) of 2007 and its Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Regulations of 2012 in Namibia. An independent EIA is being conducted by Erongo Consulting Group, encompassing a rigorous scoping phase to identify potential environmental and social impacts, followed by detailed impact assessment studies. This scientific and regulatory oversight ensures that the industrial operations are conducted with minimal ecological footprint and contribute to the principles of sustainable resource management.

Commenting of the public on this project will expire at 12h00 on the 2025-07-14

Projects Documents

• EIA
• EMP
• Consent letter or support doc from relevant Authority
• Proof of Consultation (Minutes, Newspaper adverts, etc)
• Confirmation of screening notice received (through email) in terms of assessment procedures (Section 35 (1)(a)(b) of the Environmental Management Act, No 7 of 2007)
• Preliminary Site Map (Project boundaries) with coordinates (decimal degrees) and a Legend
• CV of Environmental Assessment Practitioner (EAP)
• Declaration for the Submission of Assessment Reports and other Support Documents (upload Declaration Form from www.eia.meft.gov.na (downloads)

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