NovaNam, a Namibian vertically integrated fishing company, has successfully renewed its FISH Standard for Crew certification, an international certification that recognises safe, fair and ethical labour practices on board its fishing vessels.
NovaNam’s fleet in Namibia, operating out of the ports of Lüderitz and Walvis Bay, consists of two freezer trawlers and five wet fish trawlers, including the new Lalandii One, NovaNam One and NovaNam Two.
These vessels have a combined crew of around 280, while NovaNam has a total of 2 300 employees.
NovaNam was the first fishing company in the world to obtain this certification in 2022.
It remains the only fishing company in Namibia to hold this global certification and is currently the only one in force across the African continent.
The FISH (Fairness, Integrity, Safety and Health) Standard for Crew certification is based on four principles and 28 criteria that ensure the proper application of international conventions and labour legislation on board fishing vessels.
The FISH Standard for Crew provides a voluntary, independent, third-party accredited certification programme for labour practices on board vessels in wild-capture fisheries worldwide.
The FISH Standard is based on the ILO C188 Work in Fishing Convention and related guidance.
Since 2025, it has been recognised by the Consumer Goods Forum’s Sustainable Supply Chain Initiative (SSCI) Benchmark.
NovaNam has renewed this certification following an extensive independent audit, which assessed the fleet and the organisation against stringent global, regional and local compliance standards. Personal interviews were also conducted with crew members.
“This recognition reflects our commitment to responsible governance and to the well-being and safety of our employees.
Providing the best possible working conditions is essential to ensuring responsible and sustainable operations,” said Nuno Cosme, Chief Sustainability & CSR Officer at the Nueva Pescanova Group.
NovaNam is associated with the Nueva Pescanova Group and packs most of its fish products under the globally well-known seafood brand Pescanova.
Edwin Kamatoto, Country Manager and Group CEO of NovaNam, adds: “This certification recognises NovaNam’s ongoing efforts to provide our crews with decent, safe and internationally aligned working conditions, while contributing meaningfully to Namibia’s fishing industry and economy.”
Mike Kraft, Executive Director of FISH Standard for Crew, states that “programmes such as FISH can serve as a credible, independent verification tool.
Organisations can use it to demonstrate their leadership, the high value they place on the safety and well-being of their workers, and the transparency of their operations.”
NovaNam has been part of Namibia’s fishing industry for over 35 years, providing employment to around 2 300 people and contributing to the country’s economic growth and social development.
–newsroom@nepc.com.na