FAO assists in developing an aquaculture and fisheries workplace safety code for Central Asia and the Caucasus

The safety of workers in the fisheries and aquaculture sectors worldwide remains a concern. Despite efforts by governing bodies and other responsible entities, the number of accidents in these fields continues to be persistently high globally.

For this reason, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), in collaboration with the Department of Fisheries under the Ministry of Water Resources, Agriculture and Processing Industry of Kyrgyzstan, organized a regional workshop to discuss a draft Code of Practice on Occupational Health and Safety in Aquaculture and Fisheries for Central Asia and the Caucasus.

The two-day workshop, which commenced on 25 February, in Bishkek, the capital of Kyrgyzstan, brought together representatives from key ministries and agencies, entrepreneurs and experts in aquaculture and fisheries from Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Türkiye and Uzbekistan.

The meeting, organized as part of the work of the FAO Central Asian and Caucasus Regional Fisheries and Aquaculture Commission (CACFish), aimed to achieve several important objectives: 

• reviewing the draft code by evaluating and refining the proposed guidelines to align with regional needs and international standards;
• discussing the current state of occupational health and safety in aquaculture in participating countries through the exchange of experiences and knowledge on implementing these practices; and
• developing a regional road map for the implementation of the code, including the creation of a strategic action plan to facilitate its adoption and enforcement.

“Occupational safety and health are integral to the sustainable development of aquaculture,” said Oleg Guchgeldiyev, FAO Representative in Kyrgyzstan, in his welcoming speech. “The development and implementation of a regional code of practice in this area will help improve safety levels, which is our shared goal.”

The high number of accidents and occupational diseases is precipitated by a lack of uniform standards and by workers’ disregard for personal protective equipment and insufficient awareness of potential risks. This is why it is essential not only to develop effective occupational health and safety measures but also to ensure their practical implementation through national programmes, specialist training and the exchange of experiences among countries in the region.

Workshop participants highlighted that aquaculture is currently the fastest-growing food sector globally, with immense development potential. For example, in Kyrgyzstan, the intensive growth of the aquaculture sector over the past ten years has led to an increase in fish production. According to the Department of Fisheries under the Ministry of Water Resources, Agriculture and Processing Industry, the country produced 19 428 tonnes of commercial fish in 2024.

“The trend of increasing fish consumption will continue over the next few decades,” said Haydar Fersoy, FAO Senior Fishery and Aquaculture Officer. “However, rising demand for fish requires improvements in fish farming methods and the development of the aquaculture sector. I am confident that this meeting will help farmers and representatives of relevant organizations better understand the potential risks affecting the sustainable development and growth of this sector.”

FAO’s sustainable development plan for aquaculture focuses on creating long-term solutions that consider not only economic and social aspects but also the industry’s impact on the environment. This entails strengthening water quality control, reducing negative impacts on ecosystems and promoting responsible fisheries management practices.

The outcomes of the workshop will form the basis for future initiatives to improve working conditions and enhance safety levels in the region’s fishing industry – joint efforts that can help protect industry workers and ensure the sustainable development of aquaculture in Central Asia and the Caucasus.