The human cost of global fishing

Abstract

Seafood is central to global protein and food security, and the livelihoods of millions worldwide. Yet the fishing sector is universally acknowledged as one of the most dangerous in the world (ILO, 1999). Conservative estimates over the past two decades have put the fatalities at between 24,000 and 32,000 a year – but these estimates are generally accepted to be significantly below the true figure. Emerging research by the FISH Safety Foundation reveals that fishing is even more dangerous than currently thought, with rates shown to be at least three to four times higher than currently accepted estimates. Beyond determining a more accurate mortality figure, the research also aimed to identify any contributing drivers to fisher fatalities. The research thus shows that fishing for the global community therefore comes at a staggeringly high cost of human life. This toll is most often paid by the most vulnerable communities around the globe, regardless of region, and their deaths are also less likely to be tracked or reported. Fishing is so dangerous – and affects the most marginalised – because people are often forced to take extraordinary risks to provide food for their families, communities, and world markets. Collective, international action is needed now to ensure fishing communities continue to provide sustainable, high-quality protein without such a staggering loss of life. While some reasons why fishing is so dangerous are difficult to tackle, others are tractable, including addressing data and reporting gaps and limitations, and international policy change.