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The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)








Commercial Fishing Occupational Safety Research & Training Program						Print
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			BackgroundPurposeProject DescriptionsFunding Opportunity AnnouncementsFrequently Asked QuestionsAdditional ResourcesBackground
Commercial fishing is one of the most dangerous occupations in the United States, but the hazards fishermen face can vary widely by vessel and fishery. Research and training that address what works best to reduce occupational safety risk in a specific fleet and/or region is critical. Despite some recent successes in reducing fatal work-related injuries within the commercial fishing industry, the need for targeted safety research and training remains essential. The Fishing Safety Research Grant Program was established by The Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2010 (P.L. 111-281), as amended by the Howard Coble Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Act of 2014 (P.L. 113-281).Purpose
The Commercial Fishing Occupational Safety Research and Training Program was created to provide funding to advance fishing safety research and provide targeted, regionally appropriate training for the nation’s commercial fishermen. The Commercial Fishing Occupational Safety Research and Training Program is a partnership between the U.S. Coast Guard and NIOSH that provides funding opportunities to qualified individuals in academia, members of non-profit organizations, municipalities, and businesses involved in the U.S. commercial fishing industry. The funding supports research on improving the occupational safety of commercial fishermen and critical training for this high-risk occupation. Each award ranges from $150-$975 thousand over a three-year funding period.Top of PageCommercial Fishing Project DescriptionsResearchAmerican Bureau of Shipping, TX
	**Project Title and Description**
“Development and Testing a Field-Based Hazard/Near-Miss Sharing System for Commercial Fishing Vessels”
**Principal Investigator:**Kevin McSweeney**Target Population:** This research focuses on commercial fishermen in the Northeastern United States in the area of lobster, shellfish, squid, and groundfish and commercial fishermen in the Northwestern United States in the area of crab, halibut, salmon, and groundfish.**Current Project Reach (States Served):** Alaska, Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, and Washington
This project aims to develop and test a field-based, near-miss and lessons learned sharing system for commercial fishermen by providing a simple collection and sharing of near misses (precursor events), observed hazards, and lessons learned among commercial fishermen on a voluntary, non- attributional basis. The system will address critical information gaps about commercial fishing safety, resulting in improved safety communications, greater hazard identification, and more accurate perceptions and management of risk that contribute to higher levels of safety in commercial fishing. The project will also create key lessons learned and summary information to help commercial fishing vessel captains/crews improve their safety awareness.
**Project Title and Description**
“Development, Testing, and Deployment of Simulation-Based Stability Training Tools for Commercial Fishing Vessels”
**Principal Investigator:**Zhongfu Ge**Target Population:** This research focuses on commercial fishermen in Alaska, Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, and Virginia.**Current Project Reach (States Served):** Alaska, Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, and Virginia
This project aims to develop and implement commercial fishing vessel simulation tools to support marine safety training for commercial fishermen. Low or no- cost online training options and augmentation of traditional training courses with numerical simulations will expand access to realistic vessel stability and handling training for commercial fishermen across the country. This will help drive increased situational awareness and better risk mitigation decision-making in high-risk situations by fishing vessel crews, reducing the number of preventable vessels disasters and fatalities.Fishing Partnership Health Plan, MA
	**Project Title and Description**“A Feasibility Study to Inform a Multi-Year Comprehensive Health and Safety Initiative for Commercial Fishermen in the Northeastern United States”**Principal Investigator:**John Bartlett**Target Population:** This research focuses on all commercial fishermen in the Northeastern United States.**Current Project Reach (States Served):** Massachusetts
This study aims to provide scientific evidence to understand critical health and safety issues in commercial fishing, identify assets and best practice solutions, and support arguments for a feasible multi-year plan to advance economic resilience, health, and safety of commercial fishermen in the Northeastern United States. Researchers will contribute new knowledge to public health by synthesizing existing data (e.g., worker health data from NIOSH Data and Statistics Gateway; U.S. Coast Guard; literature review) with new information from community asset mapping, interviews, and focus groups on effective strategies and priorities. In the short term, the study will assess whether a proposed set of initiatives is a feasible means of fostering economic resilience and health and safety in fishing industry workers in a particular region, but the approach to the research and findings may translate to policy and practice in other regions and worker populations.
**Project Title and Description**“Evaluating the Benefits and Costs of Broadband VMS+ IoT Solutions for Fishing Vessel Performance, Diagnostics, and Safety at Sea in New England”
**Principal Investigator:**Joshua Wiersma**Target Population:** This research focuses on commercial fishermen in the area of Bottom Trawl (Squid, Multi-Species), Scallop Dredge.**Current Project Reach (States Served):**Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Connecticut
The Fishing Partnership Support Services will work with the Commercial Fisheries Center of Rhode Island and Integrated Monitoring (IM) to test a new type of broadband vessel monitoring system (VMS+IoT), approved by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, on a fleet of 20 federally permitted mixed fishery vessels in Rhode Island. The IM VMS+IoT solution allows a network of new sensors and indicators for remote monitoring, wireless sensors, and Artificial Intelligence onboard to diagnose and analyze critical operational and diagnostic data about vessel performance and safety in real-time. This project aims to test, evaluate, and integrate (into one user interface) a set of IoT sensors that are specifically designed to reduce the accident and causality rates associated with the six most common types of vessel casualties at sea: material failure/malfunction, grounding, flooding, fire, and collision.Northeast Center for Occupational Health and Safety in Agriculture, Forestry, and Fishing, NY
	**Project Title and Description**“The Assessment of Sleep Deprivation and Associated Health and Cognitive Impact in Commercial Fishermen”
**Principal Investigator:**Julie Sorensen******Target Population:** This research targets commercial fishermen working in the area of lobster, salmon, crab and scallops.**Current Project Reach (States Served):**Alaska, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Oregon, Rhode Island
This research project will develop a broader base of knowledge regarding how sleep deprivation affects fishermen’s health and injury/fatality risk, and develop viable, evidence-based practices to reduce these risks. The study will help close the current gap in sleep studies research in the fishing industry by developing and testing a new technology, data collection tools, methods, and protocols. In addition, the data from this research will help generate hypotheses that can be tested to expand commercial fisheries sleep deprivation research in the future.Mississippi State University, MS
	**Project Title and Description**“Trawler Fishermen’s Personal Floatation Devices: Wear Assessment and Prototype Development”
**Principal Investigator:**Catherine Black ******Target Population:** This research focuses on all commercial fishermen in the Gulf States.**Current Project Reach****(States Served):**Louisiana and Mississippi
The overall goal of this research project is to investigate, develop, design, and improve personal floatation devices (PFD) in terms of comfort, protection, safety, and other significant factors identified by the shrimp trawler fishermen operating in the Gulf of Mexico. Shrimp trawler fishermen will be the focus of this study since they dominate the fishery in the Gulf of Mexico, particularly off the shores of Louisiana and Texas. The three major objectives include: (1) evaluating fishermen’s attitudes toward and satisfaction with current PFD’s through interviews and by observing their daily tasks, (2) evaluating PFDs currently worn by fishermen, and (3) designing and testing prototype PFDs for fishermen through performance and human factors testing and evaluation.Oregon State University, OR
	**Project Title and Description**“Improving Dungeness Crab Vessel Equipment: An Ergonomic Intervention to Reduce Risk for Musculoskeletal Injuries and Falls Overboard”
**Principal Investigator:**Jeong Ho Kim**Target Population:** This research focuses on Dungeness crab fishermen and other stakeholders (vessel owners and equipment fabricators).**Current Project Reach (States Served):**Oregon, Washington, California
This research project focuses on Dungeness crab fishing vessel design and quantifies the impact of the current crab sorting table and blocks (a mechanism used to pull the lines of crab pots) on injury risk. The current design of the sorting table and block can pose substantial injury risks for both musculoskeletal and fatal injuries. With an expert pool of crab fishing stakeholders, researchers will identify critical and evidence-based design recommendations for the sorting table and block to reduce risk for musculoskeletal injuries, which is the most common type of non-fatal injuries, and falls overboard – a leading cause for fatalities.University of Texas Health Center at Tyler, TX
	**Project Title and Description**“Improving Crew Overboard Recovery for Commercial Fishing Vessels in the Gulf of Mexico”
**Principal Investigator:**Jeffrey Levin**Target Population:** This research focuses on commercial shrimp fishermen in the Gulf of Mexico.**Current Project Reach (States Served):**Texas and Louisiana
This project will gather critical information on crew overboard rescue attempts and provide recovery slings and training in their use to 120 commercial shrimp fishing vessel owners in three ports along the Texas and Louisiana Gulf Coast. This research project builds on established partnerships with the commercial fishing community and complements current research that addresses barriers to the use of personal flotation devices while on deck by Gulf of Mexico shrimpers. This intervention research project will train Gulf of Mexico commercial shrimp fishermen in safety practices using approved equipment to reduce worker injuries and fatalities.TrainingAlaska Marine Safety Education Association (AMSEA), AK
	**Project Title and Description**“National Fishing Safety Training Infrastructure”
**Principal Investigator:**Jerry Dzugan******Target Population:** This project focuses on training for commercial fishermen in the Southeast and Southwest regions of the United States, including Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Texas.**Current Project Reach (States Served):**Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Texas
The major goal of this project is to reduce injuries and illnesses to commercial fishermen by developing and delivering safety training in multiple fishing regions in the United States. The Alaska Marine Safety Education Association (AMSEA) plans to: (1) increase the population of safety training instructors, (2) improve the skills and knowledge of existing trainers, (3) increase the availability of safety training in underserved regions and populations, including Native American, Hispanic, and Vietnamese fishermen, and (4) expand training available to apprentices in fishing ports.
**Project Title and Description**“Commercial Fishing Safety Training and Materials Development”
**Principal Investigator:**Jerry Dzugan******Target Population:** This project focuses on training for commercial fishermen in Alaska and the Western region of the United States including California, Oregon, and Washington.**Current Project Reach (States Served):**Alaska, California, Oregon, and Washington
This project aims to address the high fatality rate among commercial fishermen by increasing the accessibility to skilled-based fishing safety training and fishing safety instructors. This project will enhance both the quantity, quality and availability of safety training for commercial fishermen by supporting and expanding the number of commercial fishing safety trainers in the U.S. ports through AMSEA’s Coast Guard accepted instructor-training course. AMSEA will coordinate with other existing commercial fishing safety programs in sharing resources, coordination of training, promotion and other aspects to provide affordable, accessible, relevant, hands on training to fishermen in West Coast states and Alaska.Fishing Partnership Health Plan, MA
	**Project Title and Description**“Community-Based Safety Training for the New England Fishing Industry”**Principal Investigator:**John Bartlett**Target Population:** This training project grant focuses on all commercial fishermen in the New England region.**Project Reach (States Served):**Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut
Fishing Partnership Support Services will improve the quality and availability of safety training to address the needs of fishermen, including emerging issues; increase safety training capacity in the New England region by offering Marine Safety Instructor Training; and create safety training by promoting a culture of safety. This region is one of the three most dangerous fisheries in the United States. Most fishermen in the region have not received adequate safety training to address their occupational injury, illness, or fatality risk.
**Project Title and Description**“Community-Based Safety Training for the Mid-Atlantic Fishing Industry”
**Principal Investigator:**John Bartlett**Target Population:** This project focuses on training for all commercial fishermen in the Mid-Atlantic region.**Project Reach (States Served):**New York, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina
Fishing Partnership Support Services will improve the quality and availability of safety training to address the needs of fishermen, including emerging issues; increase safety training capacity in the Mid-Atlantic region by offering Marine Safety Instructor Training; and increase safety training by promoting a culture of safety. This region is one of the three most dangerous fisheries in the U.S. Most fishermen working there have not received adequate safety training to address occupational injury, illness, or fatality risk.
**Project Title and Description**
“Improving Monthly Drills and Instruction in East Coast Fisheries by Developing Relevant Training Aids”
**Principal Investigator:**Daniel Orchard**Target Population:** This project focuses on training for all commercial fishermen on the East Coast.**Project Reach (States Served):**Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina
This project will improve the quality and availability of safety training by developing videos as training aids that address the high risks in the East Coast fisheries. Many fishermen on the East Coast receive no safety training or less training than required by federal law, which is why this project aims to improve the quality and availability of safety training. In addition, the stigma associated with behavioral health issues like substance abuse disorders and coping with trauma, makes it difficult for fishermen to address health issues that make unsafe work environments. The combination of a dangerous profession, an untrained workforce, and reluctance to engage in addiction and behavioral health issues, has resulted in catastrophic occupational health outcomes for fishing communities.  The holistic approach used by Fishing Partnership Support Services and its partners builds a culture of safety through hands-on training in fishing communities, apprentice programs, and mental health intervention. This project augments that effort by creating the training aids that graduates of these courses can use to conduct monthly instruction and drills on their vessels.Maine Center for Coastal Fisheries, ME
	**Project Title and Description**“A Comprehensive Safety, Wellness, and Change Program for New Entrants and Existing Persons in the Commercial Fishing Industry in Downeast Maine”
**Principal Investigator:**Thomas Duym******Target Population:** This training project grant targets Skippers students who are all primarily in the lobster fishery and then lobster catchers followed by other fisheries (scallopers & multi species).**Project Reach (States Served):**Maine
The Maine Center for Coastal Fisheries (MCCF) will address the continuing need for safety training and best practices for new entrants and established marine harvesters in commercial fishing and marine aquaculture in Eastern Maine. MCCF will address Drill Conductor and STCW certification training for Commercial Fishermen, skeletal injury prevention and treatment, expanded access to substance addiction counseling and prevention, processes and social incentives for enduring safety drill applications, and expanded abilities to conduct U.S. Coast Guard voluntary vessel safety inspections and best practices for new or re-conditioned commercial fishing vessel construction. MCCF has demonstrated ample experience in working with commercial fishermen. It is geographically situated to directly access commercial fishermen and to serve as an effective training partner with other organizations.Oregon State University, OR
	**Project Title and Description**“Building Capacity for Fishermen First Aid and Safety Training”
**Principal Investigator:**Laurel Kincl**Target Population:** This research focuses on vessel owners, captains, and deckhands.**Current Project Reach (States Served):**Alaska, California, Massachusetts, Oregon, and Washington
In addition to the well-publicized risks of severe injury or death in commercial fishing, like many occupations, for every fatal injury, there are many non-fatal injuries. While prevention of these injuries is the first goal, it is critical that fishermen are prepared to respond to injuries that may occur. The goal of this training project is to increase capacity to provide commercial fishing-specific first aid training. The project expands the U.S. Coast Guard approved Fisherman First Aid and Safety Training with a wider nationwide partnership to promote training best practices. This work will enhance the readiness of fishing crews to respond to emergencies at sea, thereby reducing their potential for disability and life threats. In addition, the project will promote a broader acceptance of the importance of injury prevention and control in commercial fishing across the U.S. and promote fishermen themselves as crucial to staying safe while working on the water.Top of PageFunding Opportunity Announcements
All research cooperative agreement and training project grant funding opportunity announcements can be found at: www.cdc.gov/niosh/oep/cooperative.htmlFrequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
FAQs about the Commercial Fishing Occupational Safety Research & Training Program can be found at:www.cdc.gov/niosh/oep/commercial-fishing-research-training/FAQ.htmlAdditional Resources
NIOSH Agriculture, Forestry, and Fishing Program
NIOSH Fishing Safety
NIOSH Center for Maritime Safety and Health Studies
U.S. Coast Guard Commercial Fishing Vessel Safety Division
The Navigation Center of ExcellenceTop of Page
							
					
							Last Reviewed:  August 30, 2023						Source: 	National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
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