Fishing: Introduction to ILO activities in the fishing sector

Characteristics of work in fishing sector

Work in the fishing sector has many characteristics that set it apart from work in other sectors.

The harvesting of fish, of marine resources, takes place in the often-challenging marine environment.  When the weather conditions are harsh, as they often are, or when the catch itself presents a risk, the rate of accidents and event fatalities can be quite high.  In fact, in many countries, fishing is the most hazardous occupation.  In cases of accident or illness, a fisher may be far from professional medical care, and must rely on others on board to take care of him, or her, until brought ashore.

Fishing is also an occupation with long traditions.  One of these, found throughout the world, is that of not paying fishers a set wage but instead paying them on the basis of a share of the catch.  While this has certain advantages, this system may to lead to very long working hours, a tendency to remain at sea even when bad weather might otherwise inspire fishers to return home, and therefore, again, greater risks and more numerous accidents than other sectors.  Many fishers are owner-operators. 

Fishers often live in remote communities that offer only limited alternatives for employment.

These and other factors call for special considerations for these workers.  Yet, in many countries, fishers seem to fall, at least in part, through gaps in the system of laws, regulations and other measures that protect other workers.  This may create a “decent work” deficit.  In line with its object to provide decent work for all, the ILO is seeking to prevent this deficit.