Although strictly speaking not transport workers, the exploitative practices experienced on board fishing vessels are closely linked to those of merchant seafarers and the Fisheries Section is therefore becoming an important part of the ITF's activities. ITF unions believe it is essential to set out minimum standards that protect workers in the highly dangerous and mostly unregulated profession that is the fishing industry.

Find out about the guide for unions on the ILO Work in Fishing Convention 2007 (No. 188) here >>

Find out about the ITF/IUF Catcher to Counter organising project that seeks to combat illegal, unregulated and unreported fishing and increase union power for all workers along the fisheries supply chain here >>

The fisheries sector is in crisis with some 70 per cent of fish stocks being exploited, over exploited, depleted or in the process of being rebuilt as a result of over exploitation. The central policy of the section has been and continues to be related to the sustainable harvesting of living marine resources. The growing globalisation of the sector and the interaction between fish stocks which straddle different economic zones and in some instances, the high seas, increase the relevance of the international dimension.

Fisheries policy

The ITF Fisheries Policy was adopted at the Fisheries Section Conference held during the ITF’s 40th Congress in 2002. This was as a result of a decision taken at the Fisheries Section Conference in 1997 that the Fisheries Policy that had been largely finalised at the ITF Congress in 1990 needed fundamental revision and that fisheries management should be the backbone of the revised policy. The Fisheries Policy reflects the direction and aspirations of the Fisheries Section and incorporates developments since the adoption of the previous policy. Download the complete policy document below.