THE Fishing Industry Safety & Health (FISH) Platform recently convened in Cape Town, South Africa, bringing together experts from over 10 countries. This second in-person meeting of the year, hosted by the Sea Safety Training Group (SSTG), provided a platform for knowledge sharing and collaboration among industry professionals.
South Africa’s SSTG, led by Leon Mouton and Sizwe Mavundla, has developed a Fishing Safety Management System (FSM). With support from the FISH Platform and funding from the International Fund for Fishing Safety (IFFS), SSTG has trained fishing vessel auditors, enabling more vessels to adopt FSMs at no cost. This has significantly improved safety standards and streamlined regulatory compliance for smaller operators.
Thomas van Schie of Prosea Marine Education, in collaboration with Friends of The Nation, Ghana, is working on the IFFS-funded “Ghana Small Scale Fisher Safety Project.” This initiative aims to develop practical and effective safety solutions tailored to the needs of small-scale fishing boats. Prosea recognizes the crucial link between fisher safety and sustainable fisheries, emphasizing the importance of prioritizing safety measures.
Diavre George of West Point Fishing, a major South African fishing company, highlighted the importance of prioritizing safety and implementing robust safety management systems. By investing in training and adopting best practices, West Point Fishing has significantly reduced fatalities and improved the overall safety culture within its fleet.
Nigel Blazeby presented the benefits of implementing FSMs, while Liam Shelbourne of Dragon Fishing shared his company’s experience in reducing fatalities and maintaining certifications through the adoption of a safety management system audited by Blazeby Maritime Consultants.
Capt. Vernon Keller of the South African Maritime Safety Authority (Samsa) discussed the challenges faced by the South African fishing fleet, particularly regarding older vessels. He emphasized the importance of ongoing dialogue between regulators and industry stakeholders to develop practical solutions and improve safety culture.
Florence Poulain of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) highlighted the growing global demand for seafood and the need to address safety and health concerns in the fishing industry. She emphasized the importance of ratifying international conventions, such as the Cape Town 2012 Agreement, and promoting the adoption of voluntary codes and standards. The FAO’s initiatives, including developing safety materials and promoting a safety culture in small-scale fishing, contribute to improving safety standards worldwide.
John Lloyd, CEO of The Nautical Institute, introduced “Thrive in Fishing,” an initiative to attract and support new talent in the UK fishing sector. Thrive in Fishing seeks to elevate the industry and create sustainable careers by prioritizing safety, training, and professional development.
Matteo Scarponi of the Wolfson Unit MTIA, University of Southampton, presented research findings on fishing vessel stability, highlighting the importance of improving stability standards for small fishing vessels.
The International Fund for Fishing Safety is a crucial player in advancing global fishing safety. By providing funding for projects in South Africa, Kenya, Ghana, Vietnam and Thailand, IFFS is supporting the development and implementation of safety initiatives in regions where they are most needed.
Through collaboration, knowledge sharing, and practical action, the FISH Platform and its members are working to improve safety standards and create a more sustainable future for the global fishing industry.
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