European social partners have welcomed the formal accession of Argentina to the 2012 Cape Town Agreement (CTA), describing this decisive step triggering the conditions for the global treaty to enter into force in 2027 as marking a historic milestone for global safety at sea.
‘The entry into force of the Cape Town Agreement is a monumental achievement for the global fishing sector. This treaty is crucial not only to protect the lives of fishers at sea, but also to consolidate a true global level playing field, eradicating substandard practices and unfair competition in other parts of the world,’ said Cor Blonk, representing Europêche.
Several EU Member States – including Belgium, Croatia, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Portugal and Spain – had already ratified the CTA, while the EU has also ensured that the Convention’s provisions are reflected in EU legislation, providing common safety standards for fishing vessels across Europe.
The European Transport Workers’ Federation (ETF), Europêche and Copa-Cogeca have all welcomed this latest development, leading to the Cape Town Agreement applying to fishing vessels of 24 metres and over coming into force in February next year. It regulates vital aspects such as vessel design, construction, life-saving appliances, fire protection, and communications equipment.
With the STCW-F Convention on training and certification, the ILO Work in Fishing Convention and the FAO Agreement on Port State Measures already in force, the Cape Town Agreement closes a longstanding gap in the global safety framework for the fishing industry.
‘Every year, too many fishers lose their lives trying to supply the world with seafood,’ said ETF Fisheries Section Chair Juan Manuel Trujillo, emphasising the vital social impact.
‘The enforcement of the Cape Town Agreement, alongside ILO C188 and STCW-F, is a crucial victory for the social and safety rights of fishers everywhere. This is ultimately about saving lives, radically improving working conditions on board, and ensuring that every fisher can do their job safely and return home to their families.’
ETF, Europêche and Copa-Cogeca have expressed their sincere hope that Argentina’s accession to the Treaty will serve as a catalyst for global action.
Together, the European Social Partners urge other fishing countries worldwide to promptly ratify this fundamental IMO treaty.
