Experts Hail Ratification of Historic International Agreement to Improve Maritime Safety
The Cape Town Agreement by the International Maritime Organization will help save lives and combat illegal fishing, thereby protecting the oceans and the communities that depend on them.
London, (ANTARA/PRNewswire) - Today, Pew Charitable Trusts welcomed the news that the Cape Town Agreement (CTA) has received sufficient support from major fishing nations around the world - including Argentina, which joined today - so that the agreement can be implemented starting next year. This binding international agreement will improve standards for fishing vessels to ensure the safety of crew and observers, and is an important step in combating illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing.
The CTA will protect the lives of fishermen by establishing standards for industrial vessel construction and seaworthiness, decks, heating, emergency procedures, and other life-saving safety measures. Before this important agreement, there were very few global standards or international legal obligations to protect fishermen at sea. According to estimates from the FISH Safety Foundation research commissioned by Pew, more than 100,000 people in the fishing sector die each year. The CTA’s focus on safety can help prevent many deaths.
In addition, improved safety standards for fishing vessels will also help efforts to combat illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing. In an effort to maximize profits, illegal fishermen often take shortcuts in managing their vessels, further endangering workers in one of the most dangerous professions in the world. Better governance and standardized oversight of vessel safety provisions will increase the chances of detecting and preventing illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing.
Adopted by the International Maritime Organization in 2012, the CTA, which primarily applies to new vessels of at least 24 meters, will come into effect next year after being ratified by 28 countries (more than the 22 required). In order to be implemented, the agreement must also include at least 3,600 vessels. This benchmark has also been exceeded with the latest ratification.
The CTA complements two long-standing international agreements, making it more difficult for irresponsible actors to exploit loopholes in fisheries regulations. These include the Agreement on Port State Measures (PSMA) by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), which requires all parties to strengthen and harmonize port inspections; and the Work in Fishing Convention issued by the International Labour Organization (ILO), which sets binding standards for safety and employment at sea.
The momentum for stronger ocean governance is growing. Since 2022, four major international agreements have been adopted or implemented, namely the Convention on Biological Diversity, the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework in 2022, the Fisheries Subsidies Agreement by the World Trade Organization in 2025, the High Seas Treaty, or the UN Agreement on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity in Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction in January 2026, and now the CTA. All of these agreements mark a major shift towards efforts to ensure the long-term health of marine ecosystems and humans.
Peter Horn, leader of efforts to end illegal fishing at The Pew Charitable Trusts, said:
“By implementing the Cape Town Agreement, governments have taken an important step to improve the safety of fishermen at sea; strengthen efforts to end illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing; and improve the sustainability of fisheries through better oversight and governance of fishing fleets.”
“Until now, fishermen have received less safety protection than other seafarers. More than 100,000 people die each year in the global fishing sector, so protective action is essential. Once it comes into effect next year, this agreement will significantly improve living standards in the fishing industry, and ultimately reduce the number of deaths from fishing.”
“The Cape Town Agreement complements several other important maritime agreements. However, this ambitious plan for sustainable governance will only be effective if properly implemented. Now, countries must also fulfill their promises and provide protection for global fisheries and fishermen, as well as the entire marine ecosystem.”
Founded in 1948, Pew Charitable Trusts uses data to make a difference. Pew addresses a variety of the world’s evolving challenges by highlighting problems, creating common ground, and advancing ambitious projects that deliver real progress.
Media Contact: Leah Weiser, 202-591-6761, lweiser@pewtrusts.org
SOURCE The Pew Charitable Trusts