Namibia’s
shellfish
hatchery.

For more than two decades we have produced oyster, clam and scallop seed on the Benguela coast — the first commercial oyster hatchery in Southern Africa, and still the country’s reference supplier.

SEED PRODUCTS →

2004 First commercial oyster hatchery in Southern Africa

Pioneering shellfish aquaculture in Namibia

Founded at the beginning of the new millennium, Beira Aquaculture was established with a clear vision: to develop hatchery technology capable of producing shellfish seed locally. At a time when Namibian oyster farmers relied almost entirely on imported seed, that was the industry’s greatest technological challenge — and its greatest opportunity.

Our first hatchery ran inside the facilities of Gendev Fishing in Walvis Bay. In July 2004 we produced oyster spat locally for the first time, becoming the first commercial oyster hatchery in Southern Africa.

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Beira Aquaculture in Swakopmund has the only oyster hatchery in Namibia and is the local supplier of spat to the mariculture industry.
Environmental Assessment Report, Republic of Namibia · 2021

The rearing of local oyster spat has been successfully developed by Beira Aquaculture. Extensive research and development by this pioneering company has led to the present successful commercial operation.
Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources, Annual Report · 2008

Future oyster farms at Lüderitz will source their seed from Beira Aquaculture’s hatchery in Swakopmund, or from international suppliers should it be necessary.
Nam Oyster Farms Environmental Assessment · 2020

Beira Aquaculture is listed among the key infrastructures of Namibia’s emerging shellfish industry — a Swakopmund hatchery producing Pacific oyster, European flat oyster, clams and scallops.
Global Seafood Alliance · 2017

Beira Aquaculture — oyster hatchery located in Swakopmund — is recorded in the national plan with its production capacity and its role within the sector.
Aquaculture Master Plan, Ministry of Fisheries · 2017

Operating since 2000 with its own microalgae production since 2002: a hatchery, four ponds of approximately 1,000 m³, and the culture of oysters, scallops and clams.
Official Government of Namibia file · 2025

0+ Years

0 Species

0 Hatchery
In Namibia

Five controlled stages, from broodstock to shipment

Every seed we produce is the result of carefully controlled breeding, advanced hatchery technology and decades of practical experience on the Benguela current.

01 — Broodstock conditioning 02 — Microalgae production 03 — Larval rearing 04 — Nursery systems 05 — Outdoor nursery ponds

The Salt Works ponds and hatchery building at Swakopmund

The Salt Works, Swakopmund

Direct access to one of the most productive marine ecosystems in the world, operated in collaboration with Richwater Oyster Company.

0 Outdoor ponds
≈1,000 m³ each

0 Own microalgae
Laboratory since

0 Larval & nursery
System lines

0% Seawater fed
From the Atlantic

Premium shellfish seed

Rather than producing market-size shellfish, Beira Aquaculture specialises in the production of premium-quality shellfish seed for commercial aquaculture operations.

PACIFIC & EUROPEAN FLAT

Oyster seed

High-quality spat produced under controlled hatchery conditions and supplied to oyster farms throughout Namibia and South Africa.

COMMERCIAL GRADE

Clam seed

Production of premium clam seed for commercial nursery and grow-out operations across the region.

R&D + COMMERCIAL

Scallop seed

Development and production of scallop seed for research programmes and commercial aquaculture projects.

The Minister of Fisheries inspecting oyster spat at the hatchery

ARCHIVE · THE NAMIBIAN

The Minister of Fisheries visits the hatchery

The Honourable Dr. Abraham Iyambo, Minister of Fisheries and Marine Resources, visited Beira Aquaculture together with senior government officials and aquaculture specialists to observe the technology developed by the company — official recognition of its pioneering contribution to Namibia’s aquaculture sector.

“The rearing of local oyster spat has been successfully developed by Beira Aquaculture. Extensive research and development by this pioneering company has led to the present successful commercial operation.” — Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources, Annual Report 2008

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