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

Pew Celebrates the Ratification of the Cape Town Agreement

On February 25, 2026, The Pew Charitable Trusts expressed its happiness regarding the news that the Cape Town Agreement (CTA) has garnered substantial support from leading fishing nations worldwide, notably including Argentina, which joined the treaty. This marks a significant step in enhancing maritime safety as the treaty is set to come into force next year. The CTA, a binding international accord, aims to elevate the safety standards of fishing vessels to protect both crew members and observers, while also combating illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing activities.

The agreement introduces crucial safety standards for the construction and operation of industrial ships, which encompass aspects such as navigability, deck safety, heating, emergency procedures, and various other safety measures. Before this groundbreaking accord, fishermen had very few international legal protections or standards to safeguard them while at sea. Research commissioned by Pew from the FISH Safety Foundation estimates that over 100,000 individuals lose their lives in the fishing sector each year. The safety focus in the CTA is expected to play a vital role in reducing these fatalities.

Moreover, the enhancement of safety protocols in fishing vessels will also aid in the fight against IUU fishing. Operators engaged in illegal practices often cut costs on vessel management to maximize profits, thereby putting workers in one of the most dangerous professions at even greater risk. By establishing a more effective governance framework and standardized oversight regarding the safety provisions of vessels, the CTA will increase the chances of detecting and preventing illegal fishing practices.

Adopted by the International Maritime Organization in 2012, the CTA applies primarily to new ships that are 24 meters or longer and is set to enter into force next year following ratifications from 28 states, exceeding the minimum requirement of 22. Additionally, the treaty had to account for at least 3,600 vessels—another benchmark that has also been surpassed during this most recent round of ratifications.

The CTA adds to two longstanding international agreements that make it more difficult for unscrupulous operators to exploit gaps in fishing regulations. These include the Agreement on Port State Measures (PSMA) of the Food and Agriculture Organization, which mandates parties to strengthen and harmonize port controls, and the Fishing Work Convention from the International Labour Organization, which sets binding safety and labor standards in maritime work.

The drive towards stronger ocean governance has intensified over the years. Since 2022, four significant international agreements have been adopted or came into effect: The Convention on Biological Diversity (Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, 2022), the World Trade Organization (WTO) Fisheries Subsidies Agreement (2025), the High Seas Treaty or the United Nations Agreement on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (January 2026), and now the CTA. Collectively, these agreements signify a crucial shift toward ensuring the long-term health of marine ecosystems and the communities that rely on them.

Peter Horn, who leads Pew’s initiatives to combat illegal fishing, stated: "With the activation of the Cape Town Agreement, governments have taken a monumental step to enhance the safety of fishermen at sea, bolster efforts to eradicate illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing, and boost the sustainability of fisheries through improved monitoring and governance of fishing fleets."

"Previously, fishermen lacked the same safety protections afforded to other seafarers. With more than 100,000 annual deaths in the global fishing sector, implementing protective measures is paramount. When this treaty goes into effect next year, it will dramatically enhance the quality of life within the fishing industry and ultimately reduce fishing-related fatalities."

"The Cape Town Agreement arrives on the heels of other significant ocean treaties, but such ambitious sustainable governance plans only work to the extent that they are implemented. States must now do their part to translate words into action and provide protection not only to global fisheries and fishermen but to the entire ocean ecosystem."

Founded in 1948, The Pew Charitable Trusts leverages data to make a difference. Pew addresses the challenges of a changing world by clarifying issues, building consensus, and driving ambitious projects that lead to tangible progress.