Magister Philosophiae - MPhil / This study outlines human dimensions in the hake sector in South Africa in terms of hake fish workers. The hake fish workers condition of employment, security of employment, social security issues, remunerations and their living conditions forms part of the social, economic and political dimensions in hake fisheries. The need for ensuring sustainable long-term utilisation of the hake resource and to manage, prevent and reduce all adverse effects of harvesting the hake stock through knowledge based intervention is crucial to this study. Sustainable fisheries management can use the working and living conditions of fish workers as indicators for effective management of fisheries. Fish workers issues, which include their conditions of service, contractual agreements, work safety, income, working hours and other human dimensions, may have an effect on the effective sustainable management. Ecosystems approaches takes into consideration the human dimensions and ecological consideration for effective fisheries management. Knowledge of the historical and economic importance of the hake sector is crucial for the planning and future of the fisheries. Applying the concept of the ecosystems approaches to hake fisheries management is also critical in understanding the human dimensions in hake fisheries. The qualitative methodology of field work was used in understanding the human dimensions in commercial hake fisheries. The investigation into the fish workers labour issues and living conditions through a field work highlighted that the labour issues such as type of employment (permanent or casual), conditions of employment (social security, regulated hours of work, good working conditions), stagnation in terms of promotion, remuneration and issues surrounding labour brokers are some of the social issues in the hake sector. The living conditions of fish workers, stagnation and improved remuneration should be attended to in the sector. Fish workers in the hake sector rely on wages for their livelihood. Workers’ participation in decision-making at governance level should be enhanced for effective governance in the fisheries