Vatican urges improving conditions of fisher folks

(November 21, 2011) The Vatican has united its voice with fisher folks of the world in inviting governments and organizations to ensure decent and productive work for their employment, income and food security and to ratify a convention guaranteeing safe working environment and welfare provisions for fishers. The Vatican’s Pontifical Council for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant People released a message on Monday, on the occasion of World Fisheries Day. The annual day is observed on November 21 to highlight the precarious situation in which many of fishing communities live, and the importance of maintaining the world's fisheries. The pontifical council pointed out that fisheries are a source of income and livelihood for millions of people around the world. Precise figures are not available, but the United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organization estimates some 15 million fishers are employed aboard decked or un-decked fishing vessels. If part-time and freshwater fishers are included, the number would swell to 36 million. However, the Vatican notes that the vast majority of fishers are exploited and live in great poverty, and they use antiquated methods in extreme unsafe conditions mostly in the developing countries. The network of Stella Maris centres around the world of the Pontifical Council’s Apostleship of the Sea, has been providing different kind of services and assistance to respond to the spiritual and material needs of fishers. The Pontifical Council has called on nations to ratify the 2007 ‘Work in Fishing Convention’, to guarantee a safe working environment and welfare provisions for fishers.