#USA #Washington #maritime safety #Pew Charitable Trusts #Cape Town Agreement

Pew Celebrates Ratification of the Cape Town Agreement

On February 24, 2026, The Pew Charitable Trusts expressed their satisfaction regarding the recent ratification of the Cape Town Agreement (CTA), which aims to enhance maritime safety worldwide. This international treaty has garnered support from major fishing nations, including Argentina, enabling its implementation next year. The ratification marks a crucial milestone towards establishing mandatory safety standards for fishing vessels, thereby protecting both crews and observers at sea while combating illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing practices.

The Purpose Behind the Cape Town Agreement

The Cape Town Agreement's primary goal is to safeguard the lives of fishermen. In order to do this, it sets forth regulations concerning the construction and seaworthiness of industrial fishing vessels, addressing essential aspects such as bridge safety, heating, emergency protocols, and other safety and rescue measures. Before the establishment of this historical treaty, there were barely any global standards or international legal obligations in place to protect fishermen at sea.

According to a study commissioned by Pew from the FISH Safety Foundation, it is estimated that over 100,000 individuals in the fishing industry lose their lives each year due to unsafe working conditions. By focusing on safety, the CTA aims to significantly reduce this death toll.

Furthermore, enhancing safety standards on fishing vessels contributes to the fight against IUU fishing. Often, operators engaged in illegal fishing cut corners on vessel management to maximize profits, which in turn puts workers—some of whom are part of one of the most perilous professions in the world—in perilous situations. Therefore, better governance and a standardized approach to vessel safety are vital for detecting and preventing IUU fishing.

The Road to Ratification

Originally adopted by the International Maritime Organization in 2012, the Cape Town Agreement primarily applies to new vessels measuring 24 meters or more in length. Its entry into force was contingent upon ratification from at least 22 nations; however, with the support of 28 states now secured, the necessary threshold has been exceeded. The treaty also stipulates that it must cover a minimum of 3,600 vessels, a benchmark that has also been surpassed with this latest round of ratifications.

The CTA will work alongside two long-standing international agreements that aim to regulate fishing practices. These include the Port State Measures Agreement (PSMA) from the Food and Agriculture Organization, which encourages parties to strengthen port controls, and the International Labour Organization's Work in Fishing Convention that sets binding safety and labor standards for seafarers.

Strengthening Ocean Governance

The momentum for enhanced ocean governance has been accelerating in recent years. Since 2022, four significant international agreements aimed at protecting the seas have been adopted or entered into force. These include the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework in 2022, the World Trade Organization agreement on fishing subsidies in 2025, and the fisheries agreement reached in January 2026. Collectively, these treaties signify a pivotal shift towards ensuring the long-term health of marine ecosystems and populations.

Peter Horn, who leads Pew's efforts to combat illegal fishing, commented:

"With the activation of the Cape Town Agreement, governments have made significant strides in improving the safety of fishermen at sea, strengthening efforts to eliminate IUU fishing, and enhancing fishery sustainability through better fleet governance."

Horn further emphasized, "Until now, fishermen lacked the same safety protections that other mariners enjoyed. With upwards of 100,000 fatalities each year in global fisheries, protective measures were critical. The implementation of this treaty will significantly improve conditions in the fishing industry and, as a result, reduce fatalities."

He also cautioned that while the Cape Town Agreement follows other vital ocean treaties, the ambitious governance plans must be put into action. "States must now step up and turn their commitments into concrete actions, ensuring the protection of not just global fisheries and fishermen, but the entire marine ecosystem as well."

Founded in 1948, The Pew Charitable Trusts harnesses data to drive meaningful change, addressing the challenges of a changing world by illuminating issues, creating consensus, and advancing ambitious projects that deliver measurable progress.