A ceremony held in Cape Town last week to celebrate the successful registration and certification of the freezer trawler Santa Princesa marked another significant investment in South Africa’s deep-sea trawl fishery.
The 65 m, 2 999 kW freezer trawler will replace the Umzabalazo and catch the allocations of Mayibuye Fishing, Ntshonalanga Fishing and Khoi Qwa Fishing Development Company.
Built in Norway in 1987, Santa Princesa has undergone extensive upgrades and refurbishment ahead of beginning operations in South Africa’s trawl fishery for hake. The vessel forms part of a broader wave of investment in fleet renewal and modernisation following the allocation of long-term rights in 2022.
Several right-holders in the deep-sea trawl industry have invested heavily in modernising fishing assets, with a strong focus on safety, efficiency, product quality and improved living conditions for crew.
Santa Princesa is equipped with modern onboard systems designed to support efficient fishing operations and high-quality hake processing at sea. The vessel features an automated trawl system and an onboard factory capable of processing hake fillets using specialised Baader filleting equipment.
Santa Princesa is certified to carry a crew of 65 people, including 48 factory workers. Particular attention has been given to the onboard living environment, with accommodation and facilities designed to support crew welfare during extended periods at sea.
Industry representatives attending the ceremony noted that investments of this nature are essential not only for operational performance, but also for sustaining employment, maintaining high safety standards and ensuring the long-term resilience of the fishery.
South Africa’s hake trawl fishery is South Africa’s most valuable fishery and has maintained Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certification since 2004. Fleet renewal and vessel upgrading form part of the industry’s ongoing commitment to responsible fishing and long-term sustainability.
