A new European initiative to create a common standard for basic fisheries training has been launched, aiming to improve safety at sea, strengthen workforce skills and enhance labour mobility across the EU fishing industry.
The WaveForward project – Modernising Fisheries Training for Today’s Challenges – officially began in June with a launch meeting in Noordwijk, the Netherlands, bringing together fisheries organisations and training providers from across Europe.
“WaveForward reflects the importance of investing in people and skills as a cornerstone for a safer, more resilient and more competitive European fisheries sector,” said Daniel Voces, managing director of Europêche.
“A common approach to basic training will help strengthen safety at sea, improve mobility and ensure that future generations are better prepared for the challenges ahead.”
The project will examine existing fisheries training systems in EU member states and compare how international standards, including the International Maritime Organization’s STCW and STCW-F conventions, are implemented nationally. The findings will form the basis of a shared European approach to basic fisheries training.
During the kick-off meeting partners also discussed the need for training tailored to small-scale fisheries, the value of traditional knowledge in improving safety at sea and the challenges posed by differing national education systems.
Coordinated by Europêche, the consortium includes ProSea Marine Education, the European Transport Workers’ Federation, the Pelagic Freezer Trawler Association, Novikontas, Nederlandse Vissersbond, MARE Soc. Coop., ARVI – Cooperativa de Armadores de Pesca del Puerto de Vigo, the Institut Maritime de Prévention and EUC Nordvest.
WaveForward has already been presented to the Sea Fisheries Sectoral Social Dialogue Committee in Brussels and to European Commissioner for Fisheries and Oceans Costas Kadis during discussions in Cyprus on skills development and the future of coastal communities.
The consortium believes the project will help address growing skills shortages while making careers in the fishing industry more attractive to younger workers.
The initiative is expected to support greater recognition of qualifications between member states, making it easier for fishers to work across Europe while promoting higher standards of environmental protection, safety and professional competence.
