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Asian fishing vessels lack safety at sea: Study
February 26, 2006
A recent survey on the safety of small fishing vessels in Tamil Nadu (India), Maldives, Sri Lanka and Thailand has revealed that there is lack of safety-at-sea problems for fishermen not only in developed countries but also in developing countries.
Political commitment to invest in the safety of fishermen in smallscale and artisanal fisheries seemed to be lacking and this attitude must change, the survey carried out by FAO consultant, Agnar Erlingson, on behalf of the FAO and the city-based Bay of Bengal Programme (BABO) said.
The survey carried out as an initiative of the fisheries Industries division of the FAO, focussed on the extent and effects of all the mandatory requirements that existed for fishing vessels less than 24 metres in length, and how and why they were not effective.
During the course of the study, the consultant met transport and fisheries officials and interviewed the Coast Guard and those responsible for safety and rescue. The consultant also inspected all categories of fishing boats, surveyed local boat yards, their production status and interviewed their managers.
The 52-page comprehensive survey report describes the current status of fishing vessels, boat building capacity, registration of producers, regulations for vessels and various aspects concerning safety.