Overfishing in the Benguela Current Large Marine Ecosystem (BCLME) resulted in
degradation of the ecosystem. This study used the Driver-Pressure-State-ImpactResponse
(DPSIR) indicator framework to determine whether the ecosystem is now
recovering. Indicator trends were analysed using various data sources that included
government institutions and intergovernmental institutions. The results showed that the
overall effect of Driver indicators was negative. This was mainly because of socio-economic
pressure such as the need to create more jobs in light of rising national unemployment and
the declining contribution of the fisheries sector to Gross Domestic Product (GDP). In
addition to scientific advice, socio-economic factors also influenced the determination of
Total Allowable Catches (TACs). The overall trend of Pressure indicators was positively
influenced by the effect of TACs. The TACs reduced the quotas allocated for commercial
fishing. Environmental factors did not seem to play a significant role in this study. State
indicators had mixed results with the indicators assessed almost split in the middle between
those showing a positive trend and those showing a negative trend. On the other hand,
Impact and Response indicators showed overall positive results. Therefore, the conclusion
of the study was that the degradation of the BCLME has slowed down and there are some
signs of recovery.