NovaNam, the subsidiary of the seafood Nueva Pescanova Group in Namibia, has become the first company in the world to be awarded the Fairness, Integrity, Safety and Health (FISH) Standard for International Crew Certification of labour compliance.
The certificate ratifies the excellence of the company’s labour standards on board for its deep-sea fishing trawlers operating in the
country.
According to a statement released by the company, NovaNam’s crew is about 300 people, including Nelago Kwedhi, Namibia’s first female deep-sea fishing trawler captain.
“The entire NovaNam deep-sea fishing fleet, consisting of wet-fish and freezer factory deep-sea trawlers, including the recently newly built Lalandii 1, and NovaNam one and two has obtained the FISH Standard for Crew labour certificate,” reads the statement.
The certification was awarded after the Bureau Veritas, conducted an audit by inspecting and evaluating the fleet under demanding standards and interviewing the crews.
The FISH Standard for Crew is an accredited, global, independent certification programme, which assures that labour practices on vessels in wild capture fisheries use ethical labour practices and provide for the proper treatment of crews.
The NovaNam Group has been operating in Namibia for 33 years and employs more than 2300 people. In 2022, NovaNam carried out a total of 111 corporate social responsibility actions aligned with UN Sustainable Development Goals.
FISH certifies fair and ethical labour compliance on board Novanam’s fishing vessels, in which a crew of about 300 people works at NovaNam’s
homeport in Lüderitz and Walvis Bay.
“FISH stands for four principles: socially responsible labour practices and ethical behaviour, the establishment of fair conditions of service for all fishers, assurances of the safety and health of all fishers, as well as the provision of decent accommodations, water and food,” added the company.
These are part of the 28 criteria that ratify the correct compliance with international conventions and labour legislation on board.
The Lalandii 1 Captain, Alrick Anickel, said the audit went well and was happy that such a system is introduced to monitor how the sea-going team is treated and the working conditions in place.
“Going to sea is our bread and butter, and we are happy with what NovaNam is giving us on board. We are well taken care of, and it feels like our second home,” Anickel said.
NovaNam Group managing director Edwin Kamatoto added his voice, saying with the FISH Standard for Crew certification, it is evident that the company was at the forefront of sustainability in its social aspect.
“We believe this internationally recognised
FISH certification ensures that fishers are treated fairly, ethically and responsibly. The safety and
health of our people along with decent working conditions and fair wages are essential aspects of our culture as a company,” Kamatoto said.
He added the FISH certification provides harvesters with a way to demonstrate their commitment to fairness and responsibility to their stakeholders.
“The focus on the responsible treatment of workers is only increasing locally, regionally and internationally – and stakeholders expect that seafood not only stems from environmentally sound and sustainable sources but is operated in socially responsible ways as well,” he said.