An African nation has enacted a policy to curb illegal fishing and ensure the sustainability of the fishing industry for years to come. As New Era Live reported, Namibia has reduced its bycatch limit from 5% to 2% in an effort to protect marine life. The government has also opted to increase penalties to deter violators. Bycatch limits are the maximum amounts of species that can be caught unintentionally during fishing operations. These limits are often designed to minimize the impact of fishing on vulnerable populations and ecosystems. The newly enacted policy follows a number of highly publicized hauls of sardines in Namibia that sparked heated debate regarding revenue losses. Some suspect that illegal fishing operations have been targeting sardine populations along the coast. The fishing industry is a major component of the economy in the Southern African country, especially for communities such as Walvis Bay. The Erongo Regional Council estimates that fishing is responsible for over 6% of the country's gross domestic product. And with around 14,000 people employed in the industry, many families are dependent on the waters of the Atlantic Ocean for their survival. Walvis Bay Business Chamber chairperson Johny Johnson Doeseb applauded the new policy and its potential to benefit the region in the long run.