The Coalition for Fisheries Transparency (CFT) has welcomed the UK’s ratification of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Cape Town Agreement, a major ocean treaty which will protect fisher safety at sea, advance fisheries transparency and help deter IUU fishing.
The UK has become the first state to ratify the IMO Cape Town Agreement since its full ratification in February 2026. The treaty establishes global minimum safety standards for large commercial fishing vessels (24m and above) that can operate on the high seas. These cover key parameters such as vessel stability and seaworthiness, fire safety, life-saving appliances, emergency procedures and radio communications.
‘The UK has now ratified all three treaties aiming to fight IUU fishing. By doing so, it has successfully achieved Principle 8 of the Global Charter for Fisheries Transparency on the international IUU treaty framework, and positions itself as a clear international leader promoting safe, legal and sustainable fishing,’ said Vivien Deloge, UK Coordinator of the Coalition for Fisheries Transparency. ‘I commend the UK for its ratification as an act of international solidarity, highlighting the need for global minimum safety standards for the benefits of all fishers worldwide.’
The Global Charter for Fisheries Transparency is a set of ten easy-to-implement principles designed to address the lack of transparency in three critical areas – vessel information, fishing activity, and fisheries governance and management. The UK has been a supporter of the Global Charter since October 2024.
‘Safety at sea should never be taken for granted, and the UK’s ratification is a strong signal that the lives of every fisher worldwide matter,’ commented Lord Robin Teverson, member of the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Fisheries and APPG for the Ocean.
‘Ratification of the Cape Town Agreement is a key component of the IUU Fishing Action Alliance that the UK co-founded in 2022, and the UK is the only founding member to have delivered on this commitment.’
‘For too long, fishing has remained one of the world’s most dangerous industries, with too many fishers paying the price for weak safety standards and poor oversight. The UK’s ratification of the Cape Town Agreement is a significant step towards ensuring that every fisher, regardless of where they work, is protected by international safety standards. Stronger regulation and transparency at sea are essential not only to safeguard lives, but also to tackling illegal fishing and promoting decent work across the global fishing industry,’ said Chris Williams, Fisheries Section Coordinator at the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF).
With the UK’s ratification, the Cape Town Agreement now includes 29 Parties with 3,859 fishing vessels. It will enter into force in February 2027. The Agreement will enhance transparency by allowing parties to inspect foreign-flagged fishing vessels, even if their flag State has not ratified the treaty.
‘Fishing is a vital industry, but it remains far too dangerous,’ said Olivia Swift, head of Maritime Systems at Lloyd’s Register Foundation.
‘The Cape Town Agreement sets out practical, lifesaving standards that protect fishers and shine a light on vessels operating on the high seas. The UK’s ratification is an important step towards a safer, more transparent global fishing system.’
The UK’s ratification comes just a few days after the National Fishing Remembrance Day 2026, held last Sunday, a reminder that fishing has long been deemed one of the most dangerous professions in the world by the United Nations. It is estimated that more than 100,000 fishers die in the global fishing sector annually.
‘The UK’s ratification of the IMO Cape Town Agreement demonstrates the international momentum for ocean action in general, and fisher safety at sea in particular,’ commented Ambassador Peter Thomson, UN Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for the Ocean.
‘I invite all IMO States to build on this momentum and ratify the Cape Town Agreement to increase fisheries transparency and support the fight against IUU fishing, as outlined in Sustainable Development Goal 14.4.’
