World Fisheries Day: Celebrating Fishers and Seafarers

Peter Morgan, Credit: Stella Maris

Source: Stella Maris

In a message issued in to commemorate World Fisheries Day on 21 November, the Vatican has highlighted the vital work of fishers and seafarers and called for their welfare and dignity to be protected.

Cardinal Michael Czerny, Prefect of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, stressed that fishers must be given a voice and be allowed to actively participate in decisions that affect their lives and work. He expressed his gratitude to Stella Maris chaplains and volunteers, whose work in parishes and ports around the world enables the Church be present for and uphold the dignity of fishers and seafarers who endure long absences from their families, dangerous working conditions and hard days at sea.

This call for justice and protection comes as Stella Maris continues its advocacy on the international stage. This month, the charity participated in a meeting organised by the International Labour Organization in Geneva which brought together governments, employers and workers to help shape new Guidelines for Fair Labour Market Services for Migrant Fishers. This is a vital framework intended to raise welfare and working conditions across the global fishing industry.

Stella Maris UK Advocacy and Policy Officer & Regional Port Chaplain Peter Morgan represented the charity at this meeting. Addressing the plenary, he outlined why organisations like Stella Maris are essential partners in ensuring fair treatment and welfare for fishers. He said: "One of the biggest challenges is the inconsistency in how different countries handle recruitment and welfare. Migrant fishers can easily fall through the cracks of overlapping systems, where no single authority takes full responsibility for safeguarding their rights. If put into practice effectively, these guidelines could provide a helpful framework for improving protections for fishers around the world."

He added: "For me, it all connects directly to the human side of the job. When I'm visiting ports, I meet the very people these policies are designed to protect. The issues debated in Geneva, such as pay and medical care, are the same challenges I see every week on the ground."

Peter's involvement in Geneva highlights the essential role Stella Maris plays in amplifying the voices of fishers, from one-to-one welfare support to influencing global policy. As the International Labour Organisation prepares to finalise the new guidelines, Stella Maris will continue working with international partners to ensure that every fisher, wherever they work, is treated safely, fairly and with dignity.

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Stella Maris, (formerly known as Apostleship of the Sea), is a registered UK charity. For more information visit www.stellamaris.org.uk