Indian Fisheries Association organized a lecture by Dr. George Conway on the topic “Surveillance and prevention of fishing related deaths and injuries at sea” on 21^st July 21, 2008 at CIFE, Mumbai. Dr George is MD, MPH, Director, CDC/NIOSM Agriculture, Fishing and forestry Programme and NIOSH Alaska/Pacific Regional Office. Dr. P. K. Pandey, General Secretary of   Indian Fisheries Association introduced the guest to the gathering. Dr. Dilip Kumar, President of the Association briefed about the activities of the Society and welcomed the guest and invited him for the lecture. His lecture was focused on the deaths caused by various fishing activities.

 The excerpts from his lecture are given below:

“Surveillance and prevention of fishing related deaths and injuries at sea”

by Dr. George Conway

Fishing activity is considered to be historically and consistently one of the most dangerous occupations in the United States.  There are approximately 26,500 fishing-related fatalities annually.  This estimate is based on earlier data by the International Labour Organization (International Labour Office, 1999b).  While this estimate is only based upon fatality rates for five developed nations, it provides a useful insight in the magnitude of the problem, and emphasizes the need for improved data from both developed and developing countries.

He detailed the results of IFISH 1 & 2; where many issues were discussed like, plan for expanded collaboration with FAO and ILO on fishing safety and casualty surveillance. Plan for technical assistance in injury and casualty surveillance for fishing industry in various developing nations, including India with the help of BOBP. Fishermen Accident Insurance Scheme summary data was reviewed for India. He discussed the results of the studies in India and gave figures related to fishery and other sea related deaths occurred in India.  On Sept. 29, 1971, cyclone and tidal wave killed as many as 10,000 in Orissa state, India off Bay of Bengal. On Nov. 19, 1977, cyclone and tidal wave claimed lives of 20,00 in the state of Andhra Pradesh, India. On April 30, 1991, cyclone killed over 1,31,000 and left up to 9 million homeless in southeast Bangladesh:. Thousands of survivors died from hunger and water-borne disease. On Oct. 29, 1999 in Orissa state, India, super cyclone swept in from Bay of Bengal, killing at least 9,573 and leaving over 10 million homeless. Over 600 fishermen were dead.

Dr. George suggested the surveillance cycle for getting information and taking action in order to prevent the death due to these activities. He concluded that while his estimate is only based upon fatality rates for five developed nations, it provides a useful guideline for the magnitude of the problem, and emphasizes the need for improved data from both developed and developing countries. Fishing is a hazardous occupation.  A concerted effort will be required to arrive at better mortality estimates for developing nations.  Such a large-scale problem, with so much mortality, can hardly wait for ideal surveillance to be established. Therefore, interested parties are collaborating to improve data base for better understanding of the problem, and reach out to all concerned of the industry.