Empowered to ensure a safer and healthier fishing sector

He had worked as captain at sea for over a decade, a position which he left in 2003 to take-up office work focusing on health and safety issues. 

Historically, the company had complied with only the basic requirements of the Merchant Shipping Act. Willem realized there was more to be done beyond mere compliance after participating in a joint safety inspection for fishing vessels in November-December 2023. That exercise, which identified multiple health and safety violations and breaches, reached almost 480 fishermen from companies with operations in Walvis Bay and Lüderitz. It came up with recommendations – which became a turning point in the operations of Merlus Fishing and Willem’s role in conducting company and sector-wide sensitization on the importance of risk assessments.

He became a change champion at Merlus Fishing.

Willem recounted “Working at sea is not an easy task. The long hours of work with little rest, meant that we often ignored safety issues. The risk assessment training facilitated by the Ministry of Labour, Industrial Relations and Employment Creation and the ILO opened my eyes on how more can be done to upscale safety measures and improve the safety of crew members in my company’’.

He has enhanced his own knowledge and skills on risk auditing and management by completing the Safe Management Systems offered by the Sea Safety Training Group. As a direct result of this newfound knowledge Willem has helped conduct training for crews on four of this company’s vessels. ‘’As the head of safety, I was astonished by the new shared responsibility amongst fishermen and officials alike on these vessels. A sense of ownership regarding safety has grown within these fishermen” observes Mr. Buckle. 

Merlus Fishing is looking to provide training to their remaining six vessels to ensure full compliance across their fleet.

For many Namibian fishermen, the sea is more than a workplace, it is their home away from home. However, unsafe working conditions and inadequate protections have long plagued the industry. Through government intervention, ILO support, and specialized training, health and safety standards for the sector are improving. To date, three joint inspections bringing together Ministries of Labour, Works and Transport and Fisheries and Marine Resources have been conducted with ILO support. The message is getting out there, only through stakeholder engagement can we identify violations and enforce corrective actions for a safer, fairer working environment.

Leaders like Willem Buckle are championing change, ensuring compliance and fostering a culture of shared responsibility between management and the workforce. 

As Namibia strengthens its commitment to safer waters and fishing, fishermen are finally experiencing the dignity and protection they deserve.