#USA #Washington D.C. #maritime safety #Pew Charitable Trusts #Cape Town Agreement

Pew Charitable Trusts Welcomes the Ratification of the Cape Town Agreement

The Pew Charitable Trusts has expressed its enthusiasm regarding the recent news about the Cape Town Agreement (CTA) gaining sufficient support for ratification from leading fishing nations, including Argentina, which joined on February 24. This significant international treaty, set to be enforced from next year, aims to enhance safety standards aboard fishing vessels, thereby safeguarding the lives of crew members and observers, while also playing a crucial role in the fight against illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing.

The CTA seeks to protect the lives of fishermen by establishing concrete standards for vessel construction, navigational safety, heating systems, emergency procedures, and other vital safety measures. Prior to this groundbreaking agreement, global standards and legal obligations to ensure the safety of those at sea were limited. Research commissioned by Pew's Fish Safety Foundation estimates that over 100,000 individuals lose their lives in the fishing industry every year. The CTA's focus on safety could significantly mitigate this alarming mortality rate.

Moreover, raising safety standards on fishing vessels will not only protect lives but will also aid in curbing illegal fishing practices. Operators engaged in IUU fishing often neglect maintenance and safety to maximize profits, further endangering workers in one of the most hazardous occupations worldwide. By improving maintenance protocols and standardizing safety inspections, the CTA enhances the ability to detect and prevent IUU fishing activities.

Adopted by the International Maritime Organization in 2012, the CTA primarily applies to new fishing vessels that are 24 meters or longer and is set to come into force next year after being ratified by 28 countries, exceeding the minimum requirement of 22. Additionally, the agreement applies to at least 3,600 vessels, surpassing the necessary threshold for implementation.

The CTA complements two established international agreements aiming to close loopholes for unscrupulous operators. These include the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization's Port State Measures Agreement (PSMA), which mandates contracting parties to enhance port controls, and the International Labor Organization's Work in Fishing Convention, which sets binding safety and labor standards at sea.

The momentum behind strengthening ocean governance has accelerated, with four major international agreements being adopted or coming into force since 2022. These include the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework in 2022, the World Trade Organization’s Fishing Subsidies Agreement in 2025, the UN High Seas Biodiversity Agreement in January 2026, and now the CTA. Together, these agreements signify a decisive shift towards ensuring the long-term health of marine ecosystems and the communities that depend on them.

Peter Horn, who leads conservation efforts at Pew against illegal fishing, stated, “By activating the Cape Town Agreement, governments have taken a major step to improve the safety of fishermen at sea, enhance efforts to end illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing, and promote sustainability through better oversight and management of fishing fleets.”

Horn emphasized that fishermen have lacked the same safety protections as other seafarers, and given the staggering annual death toll in the global fishing industry, these protections are vital. He believes that when the agreement comes into effect next year, it will dramatically enhance working conditions in the fishing industry, consequently reducing fatalities related to fishing activities.

He also noted that the CTA builds upon other significant maritime treaties. However, these ambitious sustainability plans will only be effective if properly implemented. “States must now do their part to transform words into action and ensure the protection not just of global fisheries and fishermen but of the entire oceanic ecosystem,” he urged.

Founded in 1948, the Pew Charitable Trusts employs data-driven advocacy to tackle challenges of the changing world, drawing attention to pressing issues, building coalitions, and driving ambitious projects that lead to measurable progress. For further media inquiries, please contact Leah Weiser at 202-591-6761 or via email at [email protected]