Industry players have called for development, in close cooperation with UN agencies, of an effective roadmap for the rapid worldwide implementation of the international agreements relating to work and safety in the fishing sector.
The call was made during a side-event on the social dimension of fisheries organised by the European social partners in the fisheries sector together with the Kingdom of the Netherlands, the European Commission and the Holy See, during the 33rd session of the Committee on Fisheries (COFI), a subsidiary body of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).
Ment van der Zwan, employers’ spokesman in the EU social dialogue committee on sea-fisheries, declared: “We urge UN agencies to establish a focus working group to identify what needs to be done, time frames, roles and responsibilities for the various stakeholders. Only through a solid roadmap we will be able to close the gap and better understand how to implement such measures.”
IUU management
Panellists at the event provided advice on how to overcome obstacles and shortcomings to better protect fishers and fight against IUU fishing, reported Europêche.
Industry organisations also showed the actions and tools they have implemented to improve and raise awareness on the social dimension of fisheries.
There was a unanimous call towards widespread ratification of the international instruments for safety at sea in fishing and the protection of fishers’ lives.
