International fishing safety fund launches

The International Fund for Fishing Safety, which provides grants for safety initiatives, has opened its first open funding call, targeting areas most in need, particularly Asia which is home to 80% of fishers and some of the world’s most hazardous and unregulated working environments.

Applications to the fund will be managed by The Seafarers’ Charity with decisions made by a committee of industry experts.

“Research by The Seafarers’ Charity revealed that financial difficulties are endemic for many of those working in fishing and that is why we are funding a financial resilience programme with Commsave Credit Union, specifically tailored for people working in fishing in the UK,” explained Tina Barnes, impact director at The Seafarers’ Charity.

“We recognise that economic necessity can drive risk taking and unsafe practices and this is why we were pleased to be asked by Lloyds Register Foundation to manage this new international Fund.

“We are keen to fund projects that will raise safety standards and practices in fishing around the world.”

Daryl Attwood, senior programme manager at Lloyd’s Register Foundation, said that the new fund will help raise awareness of the plight of fishers around the world. “In partnership with The Seafarers’ Charity and the FISH Platform, we’re confident that we can make a real difference to the lives of fishers across the developing world,” he said.