Climate change is reshaping systemic risks within the sector. As fish stocks move or decline, vessels travel further from shore and remain at sea for longer periods, increasing worker isolation, extending exposure to hazardous conditions and heightening dependence on employers and vessel operators. These changes amplify existing vulnerabilities associated with recruitment, labour exploitation and access to remedy.
Climate change is increasingly recognised as a labour rights and occupational safety issue in fisheries, affecting fishers directly and indirectly. Direct risks include increased exposure to storms, extreme weather events, heat stress, injury and illness. Indirect risks arise as fish stocks shift due to warming waters and changing ocean conditions, requiring longer voyages with fewer port visits, longer working hours and greater physical and mental demands on crews – producing fatigue, stress, reduced recovery time and deteriorating mental health outcomes.
Climate change compounds existing decent work deficits, particularly where workers have limited influence over operational decisions or face pressure to continue fishing in unsafe conditions. Migrant fishers are the most exposed, often lacking the ability to refuse hazardous work without fear of retaliation or loss of employment. For more on climate-related risks, see the Risks Across Transport guidance.