Namibia’s fishing sector is taking significant strides toward safer working conditions, driven by leadership from industry figures like Willem Buckle, Head of Safety at Merlus Fishing.
Buckle, a former sea captain with over a decade of experience, shifted to a land-based role in 2003 to oversee occupational health and safety across the company’s fleet. Although Merlus Fishing had historically met only the minimum requirements of the Merchant Shipping Act, a joint safety inspection for fishing vessels in late 2023 revealed widespread health and safety violations. The inspection, reaching nearly 480 fishermen in Walvis Bay and Lüderitz, recommended stronger risk management practices — marking a turning point for Merlus and Buckle’s work.
“Working at sea is not easy. The long hours and little rest often led us to overlook safety,” Buckle said. “The risk assessment training provided by the Ministry of Labour and the International Labour Organization (ILO) showed me how much more we could do to protect our crews.”
Motivated by this experience, Buckle enhanced his skills by completing a course in Safe Management Systems through the Sea Safety Training Group. He has since trained crews on four Merlus vessels, fostering a new culture of shared responsibility among fishermen and company officials. “There’s now a real sense of ownership regarding safety on board,” he noted.
Merlus Fishing plans to extend training to the remaining six vessels to ensure full compliance across its fleet.
Unsafe working conditions have long been a concern for Namibian fishermen, for whom the sea is both a workplace and a second home. Through government initiatives, ILO support, and leaders like Buckle, significant improvements are underway. So far, three joint inspections involving the Ministries of Labour, Works and Transport, and Fisheries and Marine Resources have been carried out with ILO assistance.
By emphasizing stakeholder engagement, Namibia is working to create a safer, more dignified environment for its fishermen, ensuring that violations are identified and addressed swiftly. As the country strengthens its commitment to maritime safety, fishermen are beginning to experience the protections they have long needed.