The new country of Namibia has a seaweed industry which centres upon the natural harbour of Lüderitzbucht, one of the few inlets and rocky outcrops of the entire coastline. Algal utilisation is presently based on collection of natural casts of the agarophyte Gracilaria verrucosa. Storms and persistent winds result in large quantities of the alga being washed ashore (c. 15 000 tonnes fresh weight per annum) at various beaches around Lüderitzbucht for most of the year. Other algae of commercial importance include Suhria vittata (agarophyte) and the kelp Laminaria schinzii. Since 1981, the collection of Gracilaria has been coordinated by Taurus Chemicals Namibia, resulting in a significant source of employment to an otherwise depressed labour force. Cast Gracilaria is sorted into various grades for export or direct consumption in a recently installed agar factory. The process of agar extraction is outlined here. 'Natural' harvesting of cast Gracilaria only results in an unpredictable and variable yield of raw material, which in turn influences export and local consumption strategies. In order to stabilise local agar production, the amount of raw material available must be increased. Direct harvesting from the Gracilaria beds is ruled out; thus production can only be increased by aquaculture. Cultivation of seaweeds in ponds and various forms of out-planting are being investigated. Keywords: Namibian seaweeds, Gracilaria verrucosa, agarophytes, agar production.