Safe practices for sampling commercial trawler catches at sea

Fisheries scientists need accurate data about total catch. If the data are to include fish discarded at sea the scientists must sail with commercial fishing vessels to sample catches as they arrive on the deck. Commercial fishing is dangerous. In 1996, 20 fishers were killed and 26 vessels were lost in the UK alone. Trawling is considered most dangerous because of the frequent handling of heavy equipment. Catch sampling officers (CSOs) permitted by fishers to sail opportunistically on routine fishing trips are not in a position to demand high standards of marine safety as they might if the vessel were chartered. UK health and safety laws require the employer to ensure that all possible risks to staff are minimised, as far as is reasonably practicable. Therefore, when the English North Sea catch sampling study commenced in 1996, attention was given to the safety equipment, training and organisation needed to protect CSOs at sea. The resulting safety procedures and equipment are detailed in this note. Although tailored for UK legislation and climate, they may be a helpful starting point in other countries also.