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Since long-term fishing rights were allocated in 2022, six new vessels valued at approximately R600 million have entered the trawl fishery for hake, reflecting strong confidence in a fishery that is tightly regulated, certified by the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) and integrated into some of the world’s most demanding seafood markets. Key achievements in 2025

Wilfred Esau, one of the most respected skippers in the South African trawl fishery for hake and a lifelong I&J employee, has passed away. Over a career spanning nearly four decades, he rose through the ranks from factory hand to one of the company’s most accomplished and trusted captains, leaving behind a legacy defined by

Fish from the sea plays a vital role in feeding a growing global population, but debates about the environmental impact of fishing are often framed in overly simplistic terms. Recent research published in Reviews in Fisheries Science & Aquaculture highlights the importance of looking at the full picture when considering how different food production systems

An example of seabed habitat now protected from trawling in 10 seabed management areas. Photo: ACEP Sound Seas After more than two years of engagement with a team of seabed habitat experts, South African trawler owners and operators have co-developed  10 seabed management areas (SMAs) that the industry voluntarily will comply with. The agreement follows

The frequency and quality of environmental reporting across the trawl fleet have improved following the appointment of Alistair Burls as Environmental Liaison Officer (ELO). The ELO position is the first of its kind for SADSTIA, the South East Coast Inshore Fishing Association (SECIFA), and possibly for fisheries across the African continent. It was established to

If there were a G10 of fishing nations – countries with an outsized influence over global fisheries governance – South Africa would be a member. That is the view of Felix Ratheb, Chief Executive of Sea Harvest, who points to the prominent role South Africans now play in some of the world’s most influential seafood

South Africa’s deep-sea trawl hake fishery has marked 2025 as a milestone year of responsible growth and continued excellence. In our year-end video, SADSTIA Chairman, Innocent Dwayi, reflects on three defining highlights: He also pays tribute to the people who drive this sector forward – the skippers, crew, processing teams, scientists and coastal communities. Watch

When it comes to bottom trawling, misconceptions abound. From claims that bottom trawling can never be sustainable, to fears that it turns the seabed into a lifeless desert, bottom trawling has long been the subject of intense debate and misinformation. But what does the science actually say? SADSTIA’s latest video cuts through the noise to