Nine recommendations were presented to the plenary session for consideration. Discussions took place that resulted in modifications to some of the recommendations and some additions.
Because the importance of having a national sea safety strategy emerged strongly from the deliberations, all recommendations were placed in that context.
The resulting general recommendations of the Consultation are:
The Expert Consultation recommended that improved small boat safety will best be achieved through the development and implementation of coordinated national strategies, which should include:
1. Provision of support to a consultative national stakeholder framework (e.g. national sea safety coordinating group) and motivated people or "drivers".
2. The generation of commitment and political will at national level to address small vessel sea safety.
3. Increasing the effectiveness of ongoing sea safety awareness programmes, with special emphasis on the development of channels for the efficient distribution of appropriate and updated materials, and evaluation of impact.
4. The development, enactment and implementation of appropriate and sensitive legislation for small fishing vessels, including the carriage of safety equipment, training/certification requirements and construction standards.
5. The determination of minimum mandatory requirements for each class of small fishing vessel, with due regard to operational circumstances.
6. The full use of existing institutions and community-based structures for increasing compliance, data collection, training and awareness, taking into account the time and resources required.
7. The development and phased implementation of appropriate enforcement procedures to ensure compliance.
8. The development and maintenance of national sea accident databases.
9. Support for the establishment of an SPC fishing vessel safety at sea special interest group[1] and associated newsletter and the development of additional sea safety awareness resource materials.
10. Investigation of the advantages and disadvantages of the establishment of small fishing vessel registration and inspection schemes.
11. Formal and informal training directed at fishers, fishing communities, government staff, NGOs, the private sector and other stakeholders.
12. Consideration of the inclusion of sea safety as an integral part of fisheries management and development initiatives.
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[1] SPC has established special
interest groups (SIG) in several areas, including fisheries training,
traditional marine resource management, trochus, and women in fisheries. Each
SIG has an informational bulletin, editor, and members who contribute articles
and exchange information. |
