Isla Cristina hosts international course on advancing decent work in fisheries

Isla Cristina, Spain, 23 May 2025

An international training course aimed at strengthening labour conditions in the fisheries sector concluded in Isla Cristina, Spain. The five-day event brought together more than 30 participants including managers of fisheries administrations, labour inspectors, technical advisors and specialists from 19 countries for a series of technical sessions, practical activities, and inter-institutional exchanges. 

Fisheries are recognized as one of the world’s most hazardous occupations. Workers, particularly those in small-scale and migrant communities, often face long hours, challenging environments, limited social protection, and barriers to decent work. Addressing these issues is essential for promoting sustainability, equity, and resilience in coastal communities and in the fisheries sector globally. 

Strengthening capacity for decent work 

The training course, “Promotion of Decent Working Conditions in Fisheries,” was organized by CIHEAM Zaragoza, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), and the Social Marine Institute (ISM), with support from the National Institute for Safety and Health at Work (INSST). The event was hosted at the National Training Centre of Isla Cristina (CNF). 

FAO’s commitment to promoting decent work in fisheries and aquaculture is grounded in the 2021 COFI Declaration for Sustainable Fisheries and Aquaculture, which calls for the Organization to advance decent work and social protection within the sector.  A key part of this approach is embedded within FAO’s Blue Transformation Strategy, which highlights the role of social protection in safeguarding fishers’ well-being and promoting sustainability. This strategy aligns with FAO's broader mission to build capacity among professionals in the industry, promote responsible practices and ensure that fishers and fish workers benefit from fair and safe working conditions. In collaboration with CIHEAM Zaragoza, FAO aims to address existing challenges in the sector while fostering a sustainable development approach that benefits fishers, fish workers and the entire sector. 

Participants examined international framework regulating workers’ rights in fisheries, decent work deficits including violence, child labour, and forced labour, occupational safety and health at sea, the status and protection of migrant workers, and social protection mechanisms. The programme combined theoretical modules with technical demonstrations and case studies, equipping participants to assess and improve working conditions in their respective countries. 

The course also addressed the importance of advancing decent work conditions on fishing vessels operating in ocean areas beyond national jurisdiction (ABNJ), highlighting the importance of cooperation between national and international institutions to promote progress in this area.  

As part of its commitment to support this work within the context of Regional Fisheries Management Organisations (RFMOs), the Common Oceans Deep-sea fisheries project, funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF), supported six participants to contribute to and benefit from the course.   

Addressing child labour and promoting social protection 

FAO presented its comprehensive approach to tackling child labour in fisheries, highlighting ongoing collaboration with the International Labour Organization (ILO) to update the international guidance. The FAO-ILO Guidance on addressing child labour in fisheries and aquaculture was referenced as a key resource for policymakers and stakeholders. FAO also emphasized the importance of social protection, in line with Chapter 6 of the Voluntary Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries (SSF Guidelines), as a foundation for decent work in the sector. 

Practical learning and institutional commitment 

In addition to technical sessions, participants engaged in field visits and hands-on exercises, such as vessel inspections, workplace safety simulations and case studies highlighting the need to implement solutions in real-world environments. These activities provided insights into the application of intersectoral labour regulations and the promotion of social dialogue. 

During the opening session, representatives from the Government of Spain, CNF, INSST, and the Municipality of Isla Cristina reaffirmed their commitment to advancing decent work in fisheries. 

Supporting the Sustainable Development Goals 

The course forms part of the ongoing efforts by CIHEAM Zaragoza, FAO, ISM, and INSST to build institutional and human capacity in support of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), with particular focus on SDG 1.3 (Implement Social Protection Systems), SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities), and SDG 14 (Life Below Water). The programme’s cross-sectoral approach underscores the importance of collaboration across occupational safety, labour law, migration, gender equity, and maritime governance. 

Over five days, the workshop provided a platform for knowledge exchange and cooperation among professionals from Europe, Africa, Asia, and the Americas. Participants return to their home countries with strengthened capacity to promote decent work, social protection, and sustainable livelihoods in the fisheries sector.