Fishing mogul making waves

R3m boat boosts Bay woman’s business

BUBBLY Port Elizabeth entrepreneur Sharmilla van Heerden is making waves in the male-dominated fishing industry following her latest acquisition – a refurbished R3-million sharkfishing vessel.

The mother of three – twin girls, aged two, and a six-year-old boy – who has worked in the industry since the age of 15, is the proud owner of Fisherman Fresh.

The company that catches, processes, markets and exports fish and is situated in the Port Elizabeth harbour, has a staff of 39.

Procurement of the new vessel will secure an additional 12 new jobs.

Besides the Australianbuilt 19.6m vessel, named Suiram VH and used to catch shark, Van Heerden, 39, has five other fishing vessels worth millions of rands.

“I have been in the fishing industry for the past 23 years. I had to follow what I am good at.”

Van Heerden first entered the industry by selling fish across the counter.

-Hendrick Mphande