Regulations, 'culture shift' could prevent fishing deaths, TSB chair says

There needs to be stricter regulations and a culture shift in the fishing industry in order to stop preventable deaths, according to the chair of the Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB).

Kathy Fox says fishing safety has been on the TSB's "watch list" since 2010, and despite safety measures, deaths in the industry remain consistent.

"In spite of many safety initiatives that have been introduced in the industry, and in spite of the fact that the number of registered fishing vessels and the number of active fishermen have declined overall since 2006, we continue to see about 10 fatalities per year in the fishing industry from coast to coast," she said in a news conference Monday.

Fox said many of the deaths could be prevented by more regulations, especially with respect to vessel stability and "better user-friendly guidance that would help fishermen identify issues with stability with respect to their vessels."

In addition to regulations, Fox said a "culture shift" is needed among fishermen themselves.

"For example wearing PFDs [personal floatation devices], having immersion suits in the event they have to evacuate or abandon ship in cold weather, having emergency beacons, practising more emergency drills," she said.

Fox said the TSB is also looking at the role provincial authorities can play in promoting safety in the fishing industry and enforcing safe practices.

"So that's why it's on our watch list," she said.

"There's a number of things that various stakeholders can do to prevent needless deaths in that industry."