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 discipline, professionalism and deep knowledge of the sea.
Born and raised in the small West Coast fishing village of Churchaven, Wilfred’s connection to the ocean began early. As a boy, he fished from small boats and worked alongside his father on trek nets – experiences that shaped his career. By his own account, Wilfred “knew the job” from the start, having grown up immersed in fishing.
He joined I&J in 1987 as a factory hand and entered the company’s cadet programme the following year. Over the next decade, he steadily built the experience and qualifications required to earn his skipper’s ticket, a process that, in his words, “took about 10 years” and demanded persistence and resilience.
Wilfred took command of his first vessel, the Godetia, in 1996, quickly establishing himself as a capable and results-driven skipper. His performance led to his appointment as skipper of the newly built Forest Lily in 2003, a role that saw him travel internationally to Spain, Denmark and Norway to familiarise himself with new vessel systems and fishing technologies.
In 2006, he transferred to the Foxglove, where he would remain at the helm for nearly two decades. Under his leadership, the vessel became known not only for strong operational performance but also for an exceptional safety record, going years without a lost-time injury – a remarkable achievement in a demanding and often hazardous working environment.
Wilfred was known as a disciplined and exacting skipper who understood the weight of responsibility that came with command. “When I’m at sea I’m responsible for people’s lives,” he said, explaining his strict approach to leadership.
Over the course of his career, Wilfred witnessed and adapted to profound changes in the industry. He began working in an era of manual systems and limited regulation –“wooden boats and iron men,” as he described it – and saw the transition to highly regulated, technology-driven operations. From paper-based echo sounders to real-time digital monitoring of catch composition and net performance, Wilfred embraced technological advances that improved both efficiency and safety at sea.
Wilfred was deeply aware of the personal sacrifices required by his profession, often reflecting on the long periods he spent away from his family. He is survived by his wife, Michelle, and their two children, Algero and Ashley.
At the end of 2025, after decades at sea, Wilfred stepped ashore, taking up the role of Shore Skipper at I&J – a position that allowed him to pass on his experience and knowledge to the next generation of seafarers.
Wilfred will be remembered by colleagues as a “stalwart” of the fleet, a skipper of consistency and professionalism, and a leader whose commitment to safety and crew welfare set a benchmark within the industry.
