Fishing Operations. 3. Best Practices to Improve Safety at Sea in The
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ISSN 1020-5292 FAO TECHNICAL GUIDELINES FOR RESPONSIBLE FISHERIES 1 Suppl. 3 C M Y FISHING OPERATIONS CM 3. Best practices to improve safety at sea MY in the sheries sector CY CMY K Cover photograph: © FAO/Fisheries and Aquaculture Department. FAO TECHNICAL GUIDELINES FOR RESPONSIBLE FISHERIES 1 Suppl. 3 FISHING OPERATIONS 3.. Best practices to improve safety at sea in the sheries sector FOOD AND AGRICULTURE ORGANIZATION OF THE UNITED NATIONS Rome, 2015 The designations employed and the presentation of material in this information product do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) concerning the legal or development status of any country, territory, city or area or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries. The mention of specific companies or products of manufacturers, whether or not these have been patented, does not imply that these have been endorsed or recommended by FAO in preference to others of a similar nature that are not mentioned. The views expressed in this information product are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views or policies of FAO. ISBN 978-92-5-108809-8 © FAO, 2015 FAO encourages the use, reproduction and dissemination of material in this information product. Except where otherwise indicated, material may be copied, downloaded and printed for private study, research and teaching purposes, or for use in non-commercial products or services, provided that appropriate acknowledgement of FAO as the source and copyright holder is given and that FAO’s endorsement of users’ views, products or services is not implied in any way. All requests for translation and adaptation rights, and for resale and other commercial use rights should be made via www.fao.org/contact-us/licence-request or addressed to [email protected]. FAO information products are available on the FAO website (www.fao.org/publications) and can be purchased through [email protected]. iii PREPARATION OF THIS DOCUMENT ishing is considered to be the world’s most dangerous occupation, first estimated by FAO in 1989 to cause more than 24 000 deaths per year Fand later confirmed by the International Labour Organization (ILO) at a Tripartite Meeting on Safety and Health in the Fishing Industry, Geneva, Switzerland, 13–17 December 1999. The issue of safety in the fisheries sector was again raised at the twenty-seventh session of the FAO Committee on Fisheries (COFI) held at FAO headquarters from 5 to 9 March 2007, at which a large number of members expressed concern about safety at sea in the fisheries sector, especially small-scale fisheries. It was suggested that FAO should develop guidelines on best practices for safety at sea and that COFI should consider developing an international plan of action (IPOA) on the subject. FAO was also urged to continue collaboration with the International Maritime Organization (IMO). As a result, an Expert Consultation was held in Rome, Italy, from 10 to 13 November 2008 to develop a draft outline of guidelines for best practices to improve safety at sea in the fisheries sector (FAO Fisheries Report No. 888). The consultation also provided recommendations regarding the scope of the guidelines, the special needs of developing countries and other specific considerations and goals. The issue of safety in the fisheries sector (that includes vessel operations in support of aquaculture activities) was once more raised at the twenty-eighth session of COFI and many Member States again noted the importance of safety at sea, as well as the outcome of the above-mentioned FAO Expert Consultation on Best Practices for Safety at Sea in the Fisheries Sector. Consequently, there was widespread support for the development of guidelines as recommended by the Expert Consultation. The Committee recognized the effective working relations that FAO enjoyed with IMO and ILO and encouraged such collaboration to continue, especially in the areas of safety at sea and conditions of work and health standards aboard fishing vessels and vessels used in support of aquaculture activities. These guidelines were prepared within the Fishing Operations and Technology Service of the FAO Fisheries and Aquaculture Department, taking into consideration the draft outline developed by the above-mentioned Expert Consultation and the result of experience gained from field trials on the subject matter within developing countries. Due consideration was also given to additional comments and suggestions received and to related expert views voiced at major international meetings and/or given in publications. iv FAO. 2015. Fisheries operations. Best practices to improve safety at sea in the fisheries sector. FAO Technical Guidelines for Responsible Fisheries. No. 1, Suppl. 3. Rome. 196 pp. ABSTRACT Article 6, paragraph 6.17, of the Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries recognizes that “States should ensure that fishing facilities and equipment, as well as all fishing activities, allow for safe, healthy and fair working conditions and meet internationally agreed standards adopted by relevant international organizations”. Consequently, following directions from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Committee on Fisheries, the three principle relevant international organizations, FAO, the International Labour Organization (ILO) and the International Maritime Organization (IMO), have cooperated in the development of mandatory and voluntary instruments, as well as guidelines for their implementation. Such cooperation was crucial in the revision of Parts A and B of the FAO/ILO/IMO Code of Safety for Fishermen and Fishing Vessels, as well as the in the development of the Voluntary Guidelines for the Design, Construction and Equipment of Small Fishing Vessels and in the development of: • Safety Recommendations for Decked Fishing Vessels of Less than 12 metres in Length and Undecked Fishing Vessels; • Implementation Guidelines on Part B of the Code, the Voluntary Guidelines and the Safety Recommendations; and • Revision of the Document for Guidance on Training and Certification of Fishing Vessel Personnel. Furthermore, FAO cooperated with ILO in the development of its Work in Fishing Convention (No. 188) and in 2012 with IMO in finalizing the Cape Town Agreement on the implementation of the Protocol to the Torremolinos Convention. Therefore, for the first time standards are now available for fishing vessels of all sizes and may be readily applied to many vessels used in aquaculture activities. Consequently, there is a sound v basis to move forward with the development of Best Practices for Safety at Sea in the Fisheries Sector, as recommended by an Expert Consultation held in Rome, Italy, from 10 to 13 November 2008. It is noted, however, that vessels used in support of aquaculture may fall under legislation promulgated for fishing and non-capture fisheries operations; hence, the need for close cooperation between fisheries and maritime administrations. The purpose of these guidelines is to enable relevant authorities to develop and implement strategies aimed at improved safety, health and conditions of service at sea in capture fisheries and aquaculture operations. They apply to all commercial fishing activities, as well as activities at sea within the aquaculture sector. Furthermore, the principles therein, may also be applied to vessels engaged in fisheries research. However, while these guidelines are not directed at sport and recreational activities carried out within the aquatic environment, administrations responsible for such sectors may well take note of the safety and health issues therein. vii CONTENTS Preparation of this document iii Abstract iv Acronyms and abbreviations xi Background xiii Introduction 1 Part 1 – General Provisions 7 1. Purpose and scope 9 2. Definitions 9 3. Objectives 9 3.1 Long-term objective 9 3.2 Immediate objectives 10 4. Guiding principles 10 5. Target Audiences 10 6. Legal aspects 11 7. Lead agency 12 8. Outline of the guidelines 12 9. Special requirements of developing countries 13 Part 2 – Application 15 Chapter 1 – Data collection and analysis to improve safety 17 1. Policy level 17 2. Data Collection 18 2.1 General 18 2.2 Sources of data 19 2.3 Data required 20 viii 3. Analysis 21 3.1 General 21 3.2 National level 22 3.3 Regional level 22 Chapter 2 – National fisheries and aquaculture sector inventory 23 1. Human resource inventories 23 1.1 Fishing vessel and aquaculture support vessel personnel 23 1.2 Fisheries managers 24 1.3 Training and education 24 1.4 Shipbuilders, boatbuilders and safety equipment suppliers 25 2. Legal requirements 26 Chapter 3 – Problems, solutions and safety strategy development 29 1. Problem identification and rectification 29 1.1 Safety policy 29 1.2 Legal issues 30 1.3 Fisheries management 31 1.4 Data collection and analysis 32 1.5 Vessels and equipment 33 1.6 Search and rescue service 34 Chapter 4 – Managing change 35 1. Planning, policy and legislation 35 1.1 Managing change 35 1.2 Policy 36 ix 1.3 Legal issues 38 1.4 Fisheries management aspects of safety regulations 39 1.5 Operational aspects 39 1.6 Marking and identification of fishing vessels 43 Appendixes 1 – Implementation of management change 45 2 – Accident investigation and analysis 53 3 – Required qualifications and experience of accident investigators, surveyors and inspectors 65 4 – Code for the conduct of an inspector of vessels 71 5 – Matters concerning the register