The Scottish Fishermen’s Federation is playing a key role in a new pan-European group that has been launched to improve health and safety in the fishing industry.
The SFF is one of the founding members of the new Fishing Industry Safety and Health Platform (FISH Platform) that comprises fishermen’s associations from across northern Europe and which will adopt a co-operative approach to improve health and safety, as well as harmonisation of EU fishing training and certification.
After FISH Plaform’s first meeting in Latvia in early September, the group concluded that the sharing of knowledge and best practice amongst members would prove beneficial in improving the health and safety of fishermen. The meeting also identified areas for future co-operation.
Derek Cardno, SFF Safety Officer, said: It makes profound sense to co-operate and keep safety simple by learning and drawing upon the experience of other nations on the types of measures that are proven to improve safety.
Indeed, the SFF has already put this strategy to good effect by developing our own Onboard Support Scheme for members that has been adopted from our Danish colleagues and which is already playing an important role in producing risk assessments that help prevent accidents at sea.
The FISH Platform will meet on a regular basis and has representatives from Belgium, Denmark, Germany, Ireland, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Poland, Sweden and the United Kingdom. There are also contacts in Iceland and Norway.
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