PAME hosted a webinar on 4 June 2026 to discuss the 2012 Cape Town Agreement (CTA) and its importance for improving fishing vessel safety in the Arctic and beyond.
Maritime expert Michael Kingston moderated the session, bringing together representatives from the fishing industry, international maritime organizations, national authorities, and NGOs to share knowledge and experiences ahead of the Agreement’s entry into force in February 2027.
Minister Eyjólfur Ármannsson delivered opening remarks on behalf of Iceland, while Ana Nunez represented Spain and Masud Karim spoke on behalf of the IMO.
The webinar included representatives from Arctic states and their authorities, as well as participants from observer states including Spain, the United Kingdom, South Korea, and France.
The Cape Town Agreement is an international treaty that establishes the first mandatory global safety standards for the design, construction, and equipment of commercial fishing vessels measuring 24 metres and above. Having reached the required ratification threshold in February 2026, the Agreement will enter into force in February 2027. It will provide fishers with legally binding safety protections and vessel inspection requirements similar to those already applied in the merchant shipping industry.
Fishing remains one of the most dangerous occupations in the world, with an estimated average of 80 fatalities per 100,000 fishers. Around 45,000 fishing vessels measuring 24 metres and above operate in marine waters globally. Despite employing a workforce larger than that of the commercial shipping sector, these vessels remain subject to far fewer mandatory safety requirements.
source: https://pame.is/
African Maritime Council