Social dialogue in the sea fisheries industry covers activities related to NACE (Rev.2) codes 03.11 and 03.21, which include:
- marine fishing
- marine aquaculture
The sectoral social dialogue committee has been created in 1999, replacing the Joint Committee on Social problems in Sea Fishing previously functioning since 1974.
In 2022, the EU fishing fleet numbered 70 986 vessels with a combined gross tonnage of 1.32 million and engine power of 5.26 million kW.
In the same year, the EU fleet directly employed 119 702 fishers (STECF Annual Economic Report on the EU Fishing Fleet, 2024).
The EU is the world’s second-largest fishing power after China. It produces almost 7 million tonnes of fish, about 5% of the world total.
The sector faces the following main challenge:
- occupational safety and health, improving working conditions on board
- demographic challenges, improving the free movement of fisherman in the EU through harmonized training and certification to attract young workers
- working conditions and fair labour standards, addressing abuses and breaching of labour rights, notably towards migrant workers
- competition (on labour standards), increased competition from non-EU fishing fleets with lower social and environmental standards and the globalisation of the market in fish.
- food security, ensuring food security whilst maintaining the best quality and highest standards whilst minimising the ecological footprint.
Workers' organisations
Employers' organisations
- Association of national organisations of fishing enterprises in the EU (Europêche)
- Fisheries section of COGECA - General Confederation of Agricultural Cooperatives in the European Union
Key areas
The current work programme focuses on:
- legislative initiatives and EU policies
- multifunctionality of fisheries
- STCW-F Convention (Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Fishing Vessel Personnel)
- promoting and enforcing ILO C188
- IUU (Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated)
Activities and meetings
Check the library entries for the sectoral social dialogue committee.
Achievements/Joint texts
Check the social dialogue texts database