Rich Links: Fishing in Namibia and GMOs across Africa

As always, the most interesting links from around the 'net:

Fishing over drilling in Namibia

Namibia is planning to halt oil and gas companies from carrying out off-shore exploration for part of the year to protect the fishing industry.

This comes on the heels of an earlier memorandum on off-shore mineral exploration. Namibia makes an interesting contrast to other African countries, where the promise of oil often trumps all other concerns.

Why Namibia's off-shore is under threat | African Mining Brief

GMOs in Africa

IRIN details a new report on the adoption of genetically modified organisms in African agriculture. The report is very positive, as is the article, and gives little consideration to the drawbacks of a GMO-reliant agribusiness:

A recent study published in the journal Food Policy, titled Status of development, regulation and adoption of GM agriculture in Africa, shows that heated debates over safety concerns continue to plague efforts to use GM crop technology to tackle food security problems and poverty.

Is Africa ready for GM? | IRIN

The need for good governance

Since African extractive industries are often shrouded in secrecy and lack clear revenue management and accountability mechanisms, good governance is essential for African countries to properly harness their natural resources for development.

UNCTAD African Oil and Gas Conference Focus on Governance is Spot On | Africa in Focus

Drilling in Western Sahara

Plans by Kosmos Energy and partner Cairn Energy to drill a well next year in a Moroccan-licensed block in the Western Sahara continue to provoke intense interest among oil companies excited by the disputed territory’s offshore potential, as well as political debate among the traditional protagonists.

Oil drilling plan stirs hornets' nest in Western Sahara | African Arguments

Other stuff: