Safety at sea

Commercial fishing is widely recognised as one of the most hazardous occupations, both in the UK (where the fatality rate amongst fishermen is 115 times higher than the industry average) and worldwide (where the Food and Agriculture Organisation estimates that 24,000 fishermen die every year).

Seafish takes safety at sea very seriously. We are determined to do what we can (in collaboration with the fishing industry, government and voluntary organisations) to achieve a reduction in the number of fatalities and accidents involving fishermen.

The main thrust of our work is in the development, delivery and administration of fishermen's training, survey and inspection of fishing vessels and new builds and the provision of information on surface and sub-sea hazards to fishing vessels. Much of this work is carried out under Memorandums of Understanding with the Maritime & Coastguard Agency (MCA).

We work closely with the main fishing federations and the MCA, particularly through the MCA's Fishing Industry Safety Group (FISG). The Operations and Safety Communications sub-groups of FISG inform, advise and guide our work, such as the development of guidance on undertaking and recording risk assessments.

We also work closely with the Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) and respond to information and recommendations arising from MAIB investigations into incidents involving fishing vessels, such as the publication of our Industry Briefing Note on Potting Safety.