Commission seeks views on common European training standards for fishers

The European Commission has published a call for evidence on the introduction of possible EU standards for the training and certification of fishers working on EU vessels. The aim is to improve safety on board and make it easier for fishers to work in other Member States. 

Feedback on the call for evidence can be submitted on the Have Your Say portal until 29 October. An open public consultation will follow before the end of the year, available in all official EU languages. The Commission will directly consult representatives of the fishing sector, including social partners and advisory councils, as well as national authorities, training institutes and any other interested parties.

Fishing is one of the most dangerous occupations in the EU and human error is the main cause of serious incidents. More frequent extreme weather events are adding to these risks. Apart from the training requirements in EU occupational safety and health rules, there are no common EU standards for training and certification.

These differences also make it difficult for fishers to work in another Member State. Certificates are not easily recognised between countries, including between those with high standards. This limits the sector's ability to respond to labour shortages and creates an uneven playing field for fishers and vessel owners. It also fuels the perception of fishing as an unskilled job, adding to the reasons young people are discouraged from joining the profession.

The International Maritime Organization has set standards for the training, certification and watchkeeping of personnel on fishing vessels in the dedicated STCW-F Convention, revised in May 2024. So far, ten Member States have ratified it, although 22 coastal EU Member States have fishing fleets. By contrast, all Member States have ratified the equivalent convention for seafarers on merchant ships, whose standards have been part of EU law since 1994.

The feedback received will inform an impact assessment for a possible legislative proposal, planned for the first quarter of 2028.This impact assessment will weigh the costs and benefits of each option, including the administrative burden on businesses, training institutes and national authorities.

Background

The common fisheries policy aims to ensure a fair standard of living for those who depend on fishing, as part of its social sustainability pillar. In its 2023 Communication on the functioning of the common fisheries policy, the Commission committed to consider proposing a directive to implement the STCW-F Convention in EU law. The initiative also contributes to the Union of Skills, the Competitiveness Compass and the Quality Jobs Roadmap.

The European Parliament, the North Sea and North Western Waters Advisory Councils and, in July 2026, the EU social partners for fisheries have called for common European training and certification standards.

More information

Call for evidence: Training and certification standards for fishers on EU vessels

Baseline study on the training and certification requirements for fishers in EU Member States (2025)

Common fisheries policy