The FISH Platform has been formed to improve the health and safety of fishermen, to reduce accidents in the industry, and to harmonise EU fishing training and certification.
The first meeting of the Fishing Industry's Safety and Health Platform (FISH Platform) took place 4-6 September in Riga, Latvia.
During the meeting a health and safety exercise gave participants the opportunity to become acquainted with each other. Then they were given the opportunity to show what safety means in their country and what training is available to their fishermen, enabling them to identify areas for future co-operation.
The meeting concluded that the FISH Platform could contribute greatly to improving the health and safety of fishermen by sharing of knowledge and best practice. An inventory of health and safety information and publications will now be developed and shared through a dedicated website which is under construction.
The FISH Platform will also work to gain more insight into the casualty figures within the fisheries in European countries and give attention to issues such as safety awareness, risk assessments and refresher courses.
The FISH Platform has representatives from Belgium, Denmark, Germany, Ireland, Latvia, Lithuania, Netherlands, Poland, Sweden and United Kingdom. In addition, there are contacts in Iceland and Norway.
