Experts from governments and employers' and workers' organizations have adopted the first-ever code of practice on occupational safety and health in aquaculture, marking a significant step towards strengthening protections for workers in one of the fastest-growing food production sectors.
Aquaculture has experienced exponential growth in recent decades, contributing significantly to alleviating poverty and improving food security. The sector also plays a key role in enterprise development, job creation and livelihood diversification, especially for people in rural areas.
Yet in many countries, aquaculture workers continue to face decent work deficits, including poor safety and health practices, undermining the sector's ability to realize its full potential.
The code provides practical guidance for all those with responsibilities, duties and rights regarding occupational safety and health in aquaculture. It is grounded in fundamental International Labour Organization (ILO) conventions and other relevant International Labour Standards. The code is intended to guide ILO tripartite constituents and other stakeholders in designing and implementing policies to protect aquaculture workers from preventable work-related injuries and diseases.
A safe and healthy working environment is essential to the long-term growth of aquaculture and to harness its potential to contribute to sustainable development and equitable and resilient food systems.
"This code is more than a technical document: it is the result of dialogue, mutual respect and collective responsibility," said Christine Campeau, Chairperson of the Meeting. "Behind every paragraph discussed in this room are real people, and the decisions and guidance developed here will eventually reach workplaces, vessels, farms, processing areas and rural communities across the world."
"The adoption of this code demonstrates that sectoral social dialogue can deliver concrete results for ILO tripartite constituents in a sector that is central to food security and rural livelihoods worldwide," said Vera Paquete-Perdigao, Director of the Labour Governance and Sectoral Policies Department at the ILO. "We hope it will serve as a practical tool for governments, employers and workers in designing and implementing occupational safety and health policies and measures, and contribute to promoting decent work across the broader agrifood sector."
