FISH Platform – Safety and Health in Fishing Industry (The Netherlands)

The Fishing Industry Safety and Health Platform (FISH Platform) provides for the needs of the fishing industry on a joint approach to improve the safety and health of fishermen and reducing accidents in the industry as well as the harmonisation of EU fishing training and certification. That is the main conclusion of the first meeting of the FISH Platform.

From September 4th till September 6th, the participants of the FISH Platform gathered for their first meeting in the Latvian capital Riga. An interesting safety and health exercise gave the participants the opportunity to become acquainted with each other. Then the participants were given the opportunity to show what safety means in their country and what training is available to their fishermen.

Subsequently, the participants identified areas for future co-operation.

After two useful days it was concluded that the FISH Platform could contribute greatly to improving the safety and health of fishermen by the sharing of knowledge and best practice. An inventory of safety and health information and publications (brochures, leaflets, handbooks &c) will now be developed and shared through a dedicated web site which is under construction.

FISH Platform will also work to gain more insight into the casualty figures within the fisheries in European countries and give attention to issues such as safety awareness, risk assessments and refresher courses.

The success of the first meeting was due to the will and commitment of the participants which was made possible by the generous offer of Novikontas Maritime Training Centre in Riga and Novikontas Manning agency to sponsored the meeting.

The FISH Platform has representatives from Belgium, Denmark, Germany, Ireland, Latvia, Lithuania, Netherlands, Poland, Sweden and United Kingdom. In addition, there are contacts in Iceland and Norway.

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Source: FISH Platform, September 24, 2012