Improving safety at sea in a time of climate change – Fishing plays a crucial role in global food security, but remains one of the world’s most dangerous activities, claiming some 100 000 lives each year.
As the COP29 climate change conference is underway and the UN celebrates World Fisheries Day on 21 November, Assistant Director-General and Director of FAO’s Fisheries and Aquaculture Division Manuel Barange discusses the dangers climate change poses to fishers and how FAO is working to improve safety at sea.
How does climate change affect the safety of fishers, particularly small-scale fisheries?
Climate change will have a significant impact on safety at sea, making it more dangerous to operate at sea and making small-scale fishers in particular more vulnerable to accidents. A warming ocean generates more frequent and more intense storms, and hurricanes we have seen recently in different parts of the world. Sometimes fishermen do not have time to return to port. Climate change is also affecting the distribution of resources, so it is very likely that some fishermen have to go further offshore to find fish, thus becoming more exposed. All these elements make fishing very dangerous, and it is very important that we provide support to fishermen to reduce the casualty rate.
How does FAO use technology and innovation to safeguard lives at sea?
We help countries to design vessels that are unsinkable, stronger and more durable so as to reduce the vulnerability of small-scale fishermen. We have naval engineers working with us, some of the best experts in the world, who devote their attention to this important activity that needs to be better protected.
Recently, we have been working with Sri Lanka on plastic boats, which increases their lifespan, and on designing boats so that they are unsinkable. It is also possible to hide under the bow in the event of a storm.
These designs are provided free of charge to countries and are available on our website. Sometimes we offer two or three models to start with, to have them tested, and then it is up to them to start building them, following those designs.
Are there other FAO initiatives that help fishermen improve safety standards and prevent accidents?
Our portfolio of work is very diverse. We run a training course for trainers that has been conducted in the Caribbean, East Africa, the Bay of Bengal, Asia and the Near East region. In an emergency, we provide small-scale fishermen with life jackets, buoys and voice and radio equipment to get them up and running again.
We also work with other UN agencies, such as the International Labour Organisation and the International Maritime Organisation, to ensure that safety at sea is linked to the working conditions of those working there.
Improving safety at sea in a time of climate change
