Fishing has long been known as one of the world’s most dangerous professions. However, a recent study by the FISH Safety Foundation and The Pew Charitable Trusts found that historical fatality estimates are grievously underestimated, and that more than 100,000 fishing-related deaths occur each year—three to four times previous estimates.
Furthermore, this study shows that death and injury in the fishing industry disproportionately victimize impoverished people, in low-income countries, which is a major reason they are so seldom counted. Seafood is a multibillion-dollar industry but the current price we are paying in human lives is far too high. Those who profit from seafood should share in the responsibility of protecting vulnerable fishers. This presentation discusses the issues of fisher safety, and highlights the actions needed from both policy makers and retailers to improve fisher safety.
