“As a fisherman you know every time you go out to sea, it could very well be your last.”
Charlton Samuels is a second engineer on Duinekus, one of Pioneer Fishing’s fishing trawlers. For Samuels, who has been a fisher for 11 years, the “rush” he feels every time he goes out is also one of the most exciting parts of his job.
International Day of the Seafarer is celebrated on 25 June every year. This day is set out to recognise the invaluable contribution seafarers make to the world economy, often at great personal cost to themselves and their families.
Shaun Bekeer, a crewman on Viva, concurs. “I’ve worked on the sea for 12 years. I enjoy it and it’s a wonderful feeling when we come in with a full load.”
Sechaba crewman Denzil Ambrosini says fishing has always been a part of his life. “I was raised in a fishing family and chose this profession because it was familiar to me and I was comfortable with the challenges that come with it.”
Ambrosini says he loves the outdoors and the job suits his personality. “When I started 17 years ago, you didn’t need a professional qualification, only a pre-sea certificate to qualify for the job. Job-hunting was easier back then; it was done through word of mouth.”
For the Duinekus skipper Michael Diploala, being a fisher has also been his family legacy. “My great-great grandfather arrived here from Barletta, Italy, in 1892 and was one of the pioneers in the fishing industry.”
For Diploala fishing is a passion because it’s not a routine job “and when the fishing’s good it’s priceless”.
“The industry has grown into a high-tech entity with high demands and even higher targets. This puts tremendous pressure on the workforce. Skippers don’t make their own decisions anymore and this sometimes makes it difficult to enjoy what we are doing,” says Diploala about his frustrations of the job, but adds, his passion for fishing will never diminish.
Samuels says even though he is thankful for his job as a fisher, he feels there are few opportunities for career growth.
“When you’re out at sea teamwork is a priority, it is also hard work and it feels good when your sacrifices pay off. Fishing is no longer seasonal, it is year-round and you can see the population growth and a decline in fishing species,” adds Ambrosini.
He also adds being a fisher is no longer just a job; career paths within the industry are more accessible and working conditions and safety have improved over the years.
Shawn Swartz, GM at Pioneer Fishing, thanked the fishers for their contribution to the success of the business. “Every department is an important link in the overall success of the company, but we are especially thankful for the invaluable contributions of our fishing crews who at times brave rough seas and strong winds to help achieve our company goals, while promoting sustainable practices’.”
The theme for this year’s International Day of the Seafarer is: Your voyage – then and now, share your journey.
