Don Van niekerk

Operations Manager | Fisheries Compliance & Maritime Operations Practitioner

Talent

JohannesburgMember since April 1, 2026

Fisheries ComplianceEnforcement of commercial, small-scale, and subsistence fisheries legislationMonitoring and verification of fishing rights, permits, quotas, and TAC allocatiDetection, prevention, and reporting of Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUUConducting vessel, port, and processing facility inspections and compliance audiPreparation of enforcement reports, legal documentation, and case files for prosImplementation of Monitoring, Control and Surveillance (MCS) systemsEnd-to-end fisheries value chain compliance oversightMarine Living Resources Act (MLRA 18/1998)Small-Scale Fisheries Policy (South Africa)Merchant Shipping ActSouth African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA) vessel safety and compliance regSAMSA small craft safety standards and inspection frameworksNational Environmental Management Act (South Africa)National Environmental Management: Biodiversity ActNational Environmental Management: Protected Areas ActNRCS compulsory specifications for fish processing facilities and compliance staOccupational Health and Safety Act (South Africa)Marine pollution control and environmental compliance regulationsUnited Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS)Food and Agriculture Organization – Code of Conduct for Responsible FisheriesFAO Guidelines for Small-Scale Fisheries (SSF Guidelines)Agreement on Port State MeasuresConvention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora International Maritime Organization conventions including MARPOL and SOLASInternational Labour Organization maritime labour standardsRegional Fisheries Management Organisation (RFMO) compliance frameworksGlobal Monitoring, Control and Surveillance (MCS) systemsComprehensive understanding of fishing fleet operations and logistics coordinatiVessel deployment planning, landing cycle management, and catch reporting system

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About

Highly experienced Senior Fisheries Inspector with over 15 years of progressive experience in the fisheries sector, specialising in fisheries compliance enforcement, maritime inspections, operational monitoring, and end-to-end regulatory oversight across port-based and at-sea environments. Demonstrates a comprehensive understanding of fishing industry operations, resource management systems, and regulatory governance frameworks, with proven ability to enforce compliance within complex, multi-stakeholder marine environments. Possesses strong operational insight into commercial fishing operations management, including vessel activity monitoring, landing and processing chain oversight, quota utilisation, logistical coordination, and supply chain compliance across commercial, small-scale, and subsistence fisheries sectors.

Extensive experience in fisheries rights administration and regulatory governance, with a strong understanding of long-term fishing rights allocation, application and evaluation processes; compliance requirements associated with fishing rights issuance and renewal; administrative governance frameworks governing fisheries resource allocation; appeals, objections and review procedures relating to fishing rights decisions; rights-based fisheries management systems and enforcement implications; and alignment of operational fishing activities with licensing conditions and quotas. Demonstrates sound judgement in high-pressure operational environments, with the ability to conduct inspections, investigations, and enforcement interventions while ensuring full compliance with applicable fisheries legislation, safety regulations, and sustainability requirements. Holds a Master (200 GT Near Coastal) Skipper's ticket and a Class 4 Commercial Diver qualification, combining operational seagoing competence with regulatory and enforcement expertise, and is seeking to bring this grounding into an Operations Manager role leading a commercial fishing fleet.

Experience

Senior Fisheries Inspector - Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) - Port Elizabeth

(2007-01 - 2022-02)

Enforced fisheries legislation, permit conditions and quota limitations across commercial and small-scale operations.
Conducted vessel, gear and documentation inspections, including extended at-sea patrols and vessel boardings.
Monitored fishing activity in territorial waters and the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).
Inspected fish processing plants, harbours and landing sites for regulatory and NRCS compliance.
Detected and prevented Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing activity, issuing warnings, fines and arrests where required.
Collected evidence, took statements, maintained chain of custody, and prepared investigation reports and case files for prosecution.

Service Dealer Administrator - Canoa - Port Elizabeth

(2004-03 - 2006-11)