Strengthening Safety Management for Fishing Vessels at Sea

- Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries to secure 23 additional personnel for the safety and health management of fishing vessels and to strengthen on-site response capabilities

 The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries (MOF; Minister Chun Jae-soo) disclosed that it has significantly expanded the quota for Fishers' Safety Inspectors to prevent fishing vessel accidents. This reflects the new administration's commitment to preventing the development of country-type industrial accidents and creating safe workplaces.

 With the Act on Safe Operation of Fishing Vessels and the Promotion of Safety and Health of Fishers coming into effect on January 3 this year, the policies on safety, health, and disaster prevention for all fishing vessels have been unified under MOF, which assigned 10 Fishers Safety Inspectors to Regional Office of Oceans and Fisheries.

 However, in response to criticism that the supervisory personnel are still in short supply while vessel safety accidents continue to occur, and given the high demand for safety management, MOF has significantly strengthened its on-site response capabilities by increasing the number of 2 policy-focused personnel and 21 Fishers Safety Inspectors.

 The number of personnel dedicated to the safety and health of fishing boat crew has increased from 10 to 33 (including 2 people from the MOF head office), and this is expected to facilitate thorough inspection and supervision of fishing vessels nationwide and rapid accident response system. The Fisher Safety Inspector system will be fully operational through future recruitment, pre-deployment, etc.

 “This manpower expansion will enable us to strengthen further the creation of a safe working environment for fishing boat crew and prevention of safety accidents involving fishing boat crew. The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries will focus on managing high-risk fishing boats in the future to reduce significantly safety accidents involving fishing boats,” Minister of Oceans and Fisheries Chun Jae-soo said.