Illegal fishing, overfishing and climate change contribute to high death rates 
in one of world's most dangerous professions

More than 100,000 fishing-related deaths occur each year, a new study ( 
https://c212.net/c/link/?t=0&l=en&o=3694189-1&h=3324744202&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.the-human-cost-of-fishing.org%2F&a=new+study 
) finds. Nearly 300 fishers die each day—a much higher estimate than all 
previous assessments—according to research from the FISH Safety Foundation ( 
https://c212.net/c/link/?t=0&l=en&o=3694189-1&h=1368834663&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.fishsafety.org%2F&a=FISH+Safety+Foundation 
) (FSF) commissioned by The Pew Charitable Trusts ( 
https://c212.net/c/link/?t=0&l=en&o=3694189-1&h=2933535521&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.pewtrusts.org%2Fen%2Fprojects%2Finternational-fisheries&a=The+Pew+Charitable+Trusts 
).

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1934287/Cycle_of_IUU_Infographic.jpg

The significant death toll disproportionately affects low-income 
fishers—including children forced into labor—and is predominantly driven by 
dangerous working conditions and unsafe vessels.

The FSF identified several factors responsible for fisher mortality, including 
poverty; geopolitical conflict; overfishing; illegal, unreported and 
unregulated (IUU) fishing; and climate change. IUU is a significant driver, 
particularly as the demand for fish protein increases globally. Industrial 
illegal operators cut corners and ignore safety rules while contributing to the 
overexploitation of highly profitable catch. This in turn drives what has been 
identified as "IUU by necessity," in which small-scale, artisanal fishers are 
driven to break rules or take part in unregulated, dangerous activities as it 
becomes more difficult to find fish. These conditions are exacerbated by 
climate change and the changing distribution of fish stocks.

"While fishing can be inherently risky, the harsh reality is that many of these 
deaths were and are avoidable. With 3 billion people reliant on seafood and the 
demand expected to rise, stronger policies are urgently needed to keep fishers 
safe, including ones that address the true drivers of these deaths," said Peter 
Horn ( 
https://c212.net/c/link/?t=0&l=en&o=3694189-1&h=1313180690&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.pewtrusts.org%2Fen%2Fabout%2Fexperts%2Fpeter-horn&a=Peter+Horn 
), a project director with Pew's international fisheries project, which is 
focused on ending and preventing illegal fishing.

Eric Holliday ( 
https://c212.net/c/link/?t=0&l=en&o=3694189-1&h=2726212658&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.fishsafety.org%2Feric-holliday&a=Eric+Holliday 
), chief executive of FSF, said, "It has been widely speculated that fisher 
mortality estimates have undercounted and hidden the danger of fishing. Our 
analysis is the first of its kind and conclusively shows that a lack of 
transparency in the fishing industry endangers lives by obscuring the full 
picture of what occurs on vessels or at fishing grounds, making it difficult 
for governments to set effective policies to improve safety. While we may never 
be able to pinpoint an exact number of fisher deaths, this should serve as a 
wake-up call to governments, telling them that in order to save lives, urgent 
action—informed by better reporting and sharing of mortality data—is needed."

By reviewing publicly available data and by cross-referencing it with 
investigative journalism and news articles, social media, and private 
communications with government officials and others, the study authors were 
able to provide the most complete picture to date of the number of 
fishing-related fatalities worldwide.

But even with all these available tools, data gaps remain, and the total number 
is nearly impossible to quantify. Insufficient and inaccurate data has made it 
difficult for decision makers to implement necessary policy changes that ensure 
the safety of industrial and subsistence fishers at international, state and 
local levels.

Based on the study results, Pew urges action ( 
https://c212.net/c/link/?t=0&l=en&o=3694189-1&h=3783945537&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.pewtrusts.org%2Fen%2Fresearch-and-analysis%2Fissue-briefs%2F2022%2F11%2Fmore-than-100000-fishing-related-deaths-occur-each-year-study-finds&a=Pew+urges+action 
) on multiple fronts. Domestically, more needs to be done to implement fisher 
safety measures and address key drivers. Given the disproportionate levels of 
fatality in low-income communities, financial support and capacity building are 
urgently needed. Internationally, improved data collection, transparency and 
information-sharing efforts will help governing bodies better understand the 
problems fishers face, more accurately quantify additional risks presented by 
IUU fishing and adopt policies for stronger vessel safety measures. 

There are also existing regulatory frameworks available that are designed to 
stop illegal fishing and protect fishers. Specifically, countries should ratify 
and implement the Cape Town Agreement ( 
https://c212.net/c/link/?t=0&l=en&o=3694189-1&h=3953000245&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.pewtrusts.org%2Fen%2Fresearch-and-analysis%2Ffact-sheets%2F2022%2F04%2Fhow-the-cape-town-agreement-can-improve-commercial-fishing-safety&a=Cape+Town+Agreement 
), adopted by the International Maritime Organization in 2012, which sets 
safety standards for the construction and design of fishing vessels; implement 
the FAO Agreement on Port State Measures ( 
https://c212.net/c/link/?t=0&l=en&o=3694189-1&h=2738995643&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.pewtrusts.org%2Fen%2Fresearch-and-analysis%2Farticles%2F2014%2F11%2Fport-state-measures&a=FAO+Agreement+on+Port+State+Measures 
), which works to prevent illegally caught fish from entering the seafood 
supply chain; and continue implementation of the 2007 ILO Work in Fishing 
Convention C188 ( 
https://c212.net/c/link/?t=0&l=en&o=3694189-1&h=246693683&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ilo.org%2Fdyn%2Fnormlex%2Fen%2Ff%3Fp%3DNORMLEXPUB%3A12100%3A0%3A%3ANO%3A%3AP12100_ILO_CODE%3AC188&a=2007+ILO+Work+in+Fishing+Convention+C188 
), which sets standards for living conditions onboard vessels at sea. Member 
States of regional fishery management organizations should also set clear 
policies that strengthen efforts to fight IUU fishing and overfishing.

"Fortunately, there are a number of tools available that can help stop 
industrial IUU and overfishing and improve safety concerns in one of the 
world's most dangerous professions," Horn added. "While not addressing all the 
issues, they clearly demonstrate intent to tackle this problem. International 
authorities must also prioritize counting these deaths. Only with a clearer 
picture of what is happening on the water can officials know when—and 
where—stronger action is needed. This study should be a clarion call to 
international authorities, national governments and fisheries managers around 
the globe, to be accountable for addressing their piece of the problem. Fishers 
should no longer be dying in the dark, and governments can no longer ignore the 
severe human injustices and inequities resulting from insufficient action on 
IUU fishing, overfishing and climate change."

Contact: Leah Weiser, lweiser@pewtrusts.org, +1-202-591-6761

SOURCE:  The Pew Charitable Trusts