A collaboration exploring technology to improve safety in the fishing industry

Safetytech Accelerator is pleased to announce a collaboration with FISH Safety Foundation to explore how technologies can  improve the safety of the fishing industry. 

Fishing is one of the world’s most dangerous professions. New research by the FISH Safety Foundation suggests fisher mortality rates are significantly higher than the earlier estimates of 24,000 per year – on top of which we can assume a far higher rate of injuries.

With this collaboration, Safetytech Accelerator and FISH Safety Foundation aim to engage the fishing industry in the adoption of technology related to the management of fatigue. Fatigued workers are at higher risk of injury, and managing this risk factor is something that technology can do well.

FISH Safety Foundation is focused on helping countries and organisations with training and advisory services, as well as assistance with the practical application of systems, legislative requirements and guidelines.

Despite the increasing focus on safety over recent years, there has been – until now – a lack of coordinated effort in safety promotion within the Global Fishing Sector on an international level. To this end, FISH Safety Foundation has developed several initiatives to help solve interconnected aspects of these industry challenges. These initiatives focus on the safety and welfare of fishers, safety of vessels, and the tools and systems which can support these.

Safetytech Accelerator and FISH Safety Foundation will work with fishing operators to identify and scope the opportunities for technology to make a difference in this area. This project will also identify tech companies with the ability to tackle fatigue in fishing and explore trails and pilots with operators.

This comes in the wake of several collaborations which Safetytech Accelerator has been part of around crew welfare and specifically fatigue which you can read about here and here.

Dr. Maurizio Pilu, Managing Director of Safetytech Accelerator had this to say about the program: “I believe that there are technologies with the potential to improve the safety of those working in the fishing industry – one of the most dangerous professions in the world. We look forward to working with the FISH Safety Foundation and fishing operators to begin to understand how these solutions can begin to make a difference.”

Eric Holliday, CEO of FISH Safety Foundation commented, “Accident reports consistently highlight the dangers of fatigue in the fishing industry. In reality, all you have to do is ask any fisher about fatigue and you’ll get a common response. It really is a massive problem in this industry. For the first time, we will be exploring tech solutions to this critical safety issue – and the need for urgent improvements in tackling fatigue at sea cannot be overstated. We look forward to working with Safetytech Accelerator and our industry partners in this ground-breaking project.”

The project will culminate in a technology showcase, calling for industry partners to pilot these high potential technologies.

You can also download our report: Fatigue Risk Management – Applying a data-driven approach to fatigue in the maritime industry

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About FISH Safety Foundation

FISH Safety Foundation is an independent international non-profit organisation that is committed to providing relevant practical education, access to resources and promoting a positive safety culture in the global Fishing Industry – an industry recognised as the most hazardous in the World.

About Safetytech Accelerator

Safetytech Accelerator is a non-profit established by Lloyd’s Register. It is the first fully dedicated technology accelerator focused on safety and risk in industrial sectors. Their mission is to make the world safer, more resilient and sustainable through wider adoption of digital technologies.