ITF Fishers' Support

21/05/2026

21/05/2026

Today the International Court of Justice (ICJ) delivered its

21/05/2026

📢 The evaluation of the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) clearly shows that the social cost paid by fishers and fisheries workers can no longer be ignored.

Over the years, the sector has made major sacrifices through reduced fishing effort, fewer vessels and significant job losses. Yet workers continue to face declining employment, stagnant wages, ageing fleets, deteriorating working conditions and shrinking profitability.

Today we released ETF's reaction to the Commission's evaluation of the CFP, noting that sustainability cannot rely on environmental objectives alone. We call on the EU to ensure a truly balanced approach that gives equal importance to the social, economic and environmental pillars.

EU fisheries play a strategic role in food security, employment and coastal communities. Future policies must support growth, investment, innovation and better working and living conditions for crews.

Read more in our article: https://www.etf-europe.org/evaluation-of-the-common-fisheries-policy-shows-the-social-dimension-has-been-neglected/
Download our full reaction:https://www.etf-europe.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/2026.05.06-ETF-Reaction-Paper-to-CFP-Evaluation.pdf

19/05/2026

The ITF is working with unions to provide multilingual first-aid kits onboard vessels – to ensure that migrant fishers have access to medical care and basic protection at sea.

Recent investigations by labour and human rights organisations reveal clear discrimination by some Taiwanese shipowners against foreign crew members, who are often verbally abused or threatened when seeking medical care.

Images show first-aid kits being distributed in Pingdon, Taiwan.

14/05/2026

https://fisheriestransparency.net/cft-welcomes-the-uks-ratification-of-imo-cape-town-agreement/

Lack of transparency at sea is a pervasive worldwide challenge.

12/05/2026

Human and labour rights do not stop at the shore.

A captain told an Indonesian fisher he would 'throw him into the sea' if he asked for more medicine. Another had his finger crushed but was too afraid of being reprimanded to ask for help.

New report highlights serious concerns over the treatment of migrant fishers on Taiwanese deep-sea fishing vessels.

The ITF is working with unions to provide multilingual first-aid kits onboard vessels - migrant fishers must have access to medical care and basic protection at sea.

Read the full report👇

Bringing Taiwan to the World and the World to Taiwan

11/05/2026