• 1.1. General
• 1.2. Small-scale fishermen
• 1.3. Small-scale and artisanal fisheries
• Definition

• 2.1. Bad weather
• 2.2. Loss of power
• 2.3. Fire on board
• 2.4. Inadequate boat construction standards
• 2.5. Unsuitable boats
• 2.6. Fisheries management
• 2.7. Economic hardship
• 2.8. Inadequate communication
• 2.9. Fishing operations
• 2.10. Lack of accessible shelters

• 3.1. International and regional efforts
• 3.2. Selected developing countries
  • 3.2.1. India
  • 3.2.2. West Indies
  • 3.2.3. Senegal
  • 3.2.4. Guinea
• 3.3. Selected developed countries
  • 3.3.1. New Zealand
  • 3.3.2. Canada
  • 3.3.3. United Kingdom
  • 3.3.4. Japan
  • 3.3.5. Republic of South Africa
  • 3.3.6. United States
  • 3.3.7. Israel
  • 3.3.8. Uruguay

• 4.1. Crossing surf
• 4.2. Bad weather
  • 4.2.1. Poor visibility
  • 4.2.2. Major storms

• 5.1. Loss of power at sea
• 5.2. Loss of way
• 5.3. Grounding and running ashore
• 5.4. Collisions
• 5.5. Fire on board

• 6.1. Injuries from fish and other animals, and poisoning
  • 6.1.1. In water
  • 6.1.2. On board fishing craft
  • 6.1.3. Poisoning by marine toxins
• 6.2. Injury by deck machinery and equipment
• 6.3. Falling overboard and hypothermia
• 6.4. Capsizing and other accidents associated with operating fishing gear
• 6.5. Risks from scuba diving and explosives

• 7.1. General
• 7.2. Developing country small-scale fisheries
• 7.3. Developed country small-scale fisheries

• 8.1. Fishermen’s know-how and attitudes
  • 8.1.1. Modern technology in traditional fisheries
  • 8.1.2. Mistrust
  • 8.1.3. Insufficient technical training
  • 8.1.4. Prestige considerations
• 8.2. Fishery management measures and economic factors
  • 8.2.1. Economic and financial pressures
  • 8.2.2. TAC-type management
  • 8.2.3. Quota systems
• 8.3. Wars, pirates and other hostilities
• 8.4. Working conditions

• 9.1. Regulations, codes and enforcement among small-scale fisheries
• 9.2. SAR services and small-scale fisheries
• 9.3. Prevention and warning systems
• 9.4. Evaluation of state of safety in small-scale fisheries

• 10.1. General
• 10.2. Boat design and construction
• 10.3. Survival equipment, fire prevention
• 10.4. Weather warnings, communication, SAR and survival in water
  • 10.4.1. Education and training
  • 10.4.2. Civilian radio stations
  • 10.4.3. Armed forces to warn of approaching storms
  • 10.4.4. SAR, fishermen sea and storm safety action groups
  • 10.4.5. Survival in water
• 10.5. Prevention of boat accidents
  • 10.5.1. Collisions
  • 10.5.2. Beaching
• 10.6. Beach disaster preparedness, evacuation and protection
• 10.7. First aid and medical services
  • 10.7.1. Stings and poisons
  • 10.7.2. Hypothermia
• 10.8. Fishing operations
  • 10.8.1. General fishing units
  • 10.8.2. Diving
• 10.9. Reduction of incentives to take risks
• 10.10. Training and certification
  • 10.10.1. Manuals and charts
  • 10.10.2. Training courses and workshops
  • 10.10.3. Certification
• 10.11. Legislation and regulations
• 10.12. Insurance
• 10.13. The role of intergovernmental cooperation and international bodies
  • 10.13.1. International design and construction standards for small-scale fishing craft
  • 10.13.2. Warning systems and SAR
  • 10.13.3. Training in accident prevention, behaviour in emergencies, survival at sea
• 10.14. The role of NGOs

• 11.1. Private and Internet communications

This publication is part of the research studies undertaken by the Sectoral Activities Programme of the ILO.

Fishing is one of the most hazardous of all occupations. The majority of people involved in small-scale and artisanal fishing are working in what is often described as the "informal sector". These workers are frequently outside the reach of the occupational safety and health services available to other types of workers. The challenge is to extend such services to all fishing communities and to allow for a wider exchange of experiences on how to make improvements in fishing safety and health.

The working paper focuses on the risks and dangers in small-scale and artisanal fisheries. It reviews working conditions, typical risks and dangers, safety approaches in developed and developing countries, accidents associated with the marine environment, navigation and fishing operations, problems associated with boat design and construction as well as other risks and dangers. The influence of fishery management measures and economic factors, wars, pirates and other hostile acts are addressed. The author makes an evaluation of these issues and recommendations for action in several areas.

The study is a contribution to safety and health in small-scale and artisanal fishing and a follow-up to the Conclusions adopted by the Tripartite Meeting on Safety and Health in the Fishing Industry, held in Geneva, Switzerland from 13 to 17 December 1999.

Cleopatra Doumbia-Henry
Deputy Director
Sectoral Activities Department