VI. Ensuring Safety in the DWF Sector

China continues to upgrade its distant-water fishing infrastructure focusing on safety, eco-friendliness, sustainability, and worker protection. It is bringing the size of its distant-water fishing fleet under control. Vessel safety and the living environment of crews are being steadily improved.

1. Promoting safe and eco-friendly distant-water fishing vessels

China encourages and supports the upgrading of distant-water fishing vessels to make them safer and more eco-friendly. It has put strict restrictions on the tonnage of distant-water fishing vessels to minimize the impact of fishing on the marine environment and eco-systems. In accordance with the requirements of international conventions on pollution control and maritime safety such as the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and relevant domestic regulations, in 2021, China amended the parameters for standard types of distant-water fishing vessels, improved their testing rules, standardized their scrapping procedures, and improved the reliability of newly-built distant-water fishing vessels and upgraded their safety and antipollution equipment.

2. Improving vessel position monitoring and surveillance

China attaches great importance to monitoring and observing the position of distant-water fishing vessels. It has upgraded the Distant-water Fishery Service Platform and the monitoring and surveillance system to cover all such vessels. To increase capacity and improve service, it has raised the frequency of position reporting, improved the collection of data and statistics, reinforced surveillance of key areas and trespassing alarms, and required electronic fishing logbooks and position monitoring and surveillance. The authorities have invested in the National Data Center for Distant-Water Fisheries of China, developed fishing data checking and quality control, and strengthened the scientific management of production reporting, fishing logbooks, and data from fisheries observers.

3. Safeguarding the lawful rights and interests of the crew

As a founding member of the International Labor Organization, China attaches great importance to the protection of workers' rights and interests. By April 2023, it had ratified 28 international labor conventions including seven core conventions such as the Forced Labor Convention, 1930 and the Abolition of Forced Labor Convention, 1957. China prioritizes the protection of the rights and interests of distant-water fishing crew members. Consistent efforts have been made to regulate crew employment and management, enabling DWF companies to assume their full responsibilities, strengthening industry self-discipline and employment supervision, and ensuring satisfactory working conditions and proper remuneration for Chinese and international crew in accordance with the law. Companies are required to respect the following requirements: 

• Pay the crew on time. Arrears of wages without justifiable cause are forbidden. 

• Arrange reasonable working hours and provide sound living and working conditions for the crew.

• Properly handle the legitimate demands of the crew. Companies are required to understand, respect, and maintain an inclusive attitude towards their customs and religious beliefs and cultural differences. Discrimination, abuse or ill-treatment of the crew is strictly prohibited.

• Strengthen skills and workplace safety training and raise awareness of safety issues.

• Equip vessels with the necessary labor protection equipment and facilities to ensure a safe environment and working conditions. 

• Equip vessels with essential medicines and rapidly provide all necessary medical treatment and psychological aid to crew members in need. Any illness or injury beyond the handling capacity of the vessel must be reported promptly to enable treatment.

4. Strengthening safety at work and rescue at sea

China has prioritized safe working conditions in DWF. It has strengthened safety checks and the identification of potential safety hazards to ensure safe navigation for the vessel and safe production for the crew. A 24-hour emergency rescue and service mechanism has been established by the industry association and efforts have been made to put in place a mechanism of mutual aid and support at sea. The country has also explored and established a DWF emergency response mechanism. The authorities take strict action against violations of laws and regulations by crew members. A score system is in place to manage crew members' violation of safe navigation and working practices, which helps to maintain production safety. China has also strengthened cooperation with other countries and organizations and played an active part in global marine rescue.