30. 7, 81 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 189/1 
II 
(Preparatory Acts) 
ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COMMITTEE 
Opinion on the Commission communication to the Council on the social aspects in the 
Community sea fishing sector 
The text referred to the Committee has not yet been published in the Official Journal 
of the European Communities. 
A. LEGAL BASIS FOR THE OPINION 
On 1 December 1981 the Council referred the abovementioned proposal to the Econo­
mic and Social Committee in accordance with Articles 39 to 46, 117, 118, 123, 125 and 
198 of the Treaty establishing the European Economic Community. 
B. OPINION OF THE ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COMMITTEE 
The Economic and Social Committee prepared its opinion on the above matter at its 
188th plenary session held in Brussels on 26 and 27 May 1981. 
The full text of the opinion is as follows: 
THE ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COMMITTEE, 
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the Euro­
pean Economic Treaty, and in particular Articles 39 
to 46, 117, 118, 123, 125 and 198 thereof, 
Having regard to the request for an opinion made 
by the Council of the European Communities on 
1 December 1980, 
Having regard to the decision taken by its Bureau 
on 9 December 1980, instructing the Section for 
Social Questions to prepare an opinion and a report 
on the matter, 
Having regard to the opinion delivered by the above 
Section on 14 May 1981, 
Having regard to the report submitted by the rappor­
teur, Mr Murphy, 
Having regard to the discussions at its meeting on 
26 May 1981, during its 188th plenary session (held 
on 26 and 27 May 1981), Having regard to the Council Regulation of 19 Jan­
uary 1976 laying down a structural policy in the 
fishing industry, and in particular Article 9 thereof 
(OJNoL20, 28. 1. 1976), 
Having regard to the Council measures of 
20 December 1977 on the reform of the European 
Social Fund (OJ No L 337, 27. 12. 1977), 
Having regard to the social action programme 
approved by the Council on 21 January 1974 (OJ 
NoC 13, 12.2. 1974), 
Having regard to its opinion on the updating of the 
social action programme, dated 29 May 1975 (OJ 
NoC 263, 17. 1L 1975), 
Having regard to the proposal for a Council Regula­
tion submitted by the Commission to the Council 
on 21 October 1977 on certain immediate measures 
to adjust capacity in the fisheries sector, and in 
particular Articles 17 and 18 thereof (OJ No C 278, 
18. 11. 1977), 
No C 189/2 Official Journal of the European Communities > 30. 7. 81 
Having regard to the proposals relating to structural 
policy in the fisheries sector presented by the Com­
mission to the Council on 18 July 1980 (OJ No 
,C243, 22. 9. 1980), 
Having regard to the amended proposals for a 
Council Directive on certain measures to adjust ca­
pacity in the fisheries sector, 
Having regard to the social aspects of its opinion 
(20 December 1980) on proposals relating to struc­
tural policy in the fisheries sector, 
Having regard to the resoluting of the European 
Parliament dated 11 May 1979 calling for a common 
policy for education and training in fisheries in con­
nection with the development and restructuring of 
the fishing fleet (OJ No C 140, 5. 6. 1979), 
HAS ADOPTED THE FOLLOWING OPINION 
unanimously: 
1. General comments 
1.1. The Committee generally approves the initia­
tives in the Commission's communication to the 
Council on the social aspects in the Community sea 
fishing sector. (These social guidelines include mea­
sures to encourage the promotion of vocational 
training, employment, safety and health at work and 
working conditions, including paid holidays, hours 
of work, job security and a minimum or guaranteed 
wage for fishermen). 
1.2. The Committee however finds it difficult to 
assess the impact of the financial and accident pre­
vention aspects of the 'Communication' for several 
reasons, including: 
(a) the absence of a coherent fisheries'policy; 
(b) the inadequacy and vagueness of the financial 
aids, some of which may be in doubt as 'funds 
available to the Guidance Section of the 
EAGGF are already largely earmarked'; 
(c) the very limited and indefinite scope of the 
IMCO Torremolinos International Convention 
on the safety of fishing vessels, 1977 in relation 
to new fishing vessels in the Community which, even if fully implemented, would apply only to 
vessels at least 24 metres in length (!); 
(d) the time factor involved in 
— the replacement or conversion of vessels 
which must have the necessary equipment 
for fishing operations and crew safety, in 
order to qualify for Community aid, 
— commencing the operation of the proposed 
EEC Directive on safety, health and acci­
dent prevention at work in sea fishing, 
which has not been published (2). 
1.3. The Committee supports the proposals in the 
social guidelines on vocational training, including 
the draft for a Council resolution on a common 
training policy for the fisheries sector. 
1.4. The proposals on working conditions and job 
security do not go beyond the provisions in labour 
law and existing custom and practice in several 
Member States regarding a joint approach to indus­
trial and social problems at places of work. 
1.5. The Committee is concerned that little (if any) 
progress has been made towards the establishment 
of a coherent policy on fishing and fish products in 
the Community. The Committee considers that a 
common and coherent fisheries policy is necessary if 
a social policy is to succeed in this sector. In the 
opinion of the Committee the absence of a political 
will, which is so necessary to achieve a coherent 
fishing policy, retards potential development in the 
industry, including employment and job security. 
Therefore, the Committee underlines the necessity 
of coming now to a satisfactory political solution of 
this question. 
1.6. In the opinion of the Committee, the financial 
aid which could be given at present, together with 
the aid proposed by the Commission, falls far short 
of the support which is urgently needed in the 
industry. These measures, some of which are before 
the Council, would not achieve the main social 
objectives of a common fisheries policy visualized 
by the Commission in 1966, namely, a level of social 
provision for sea fishermen similar to that enjoyed 
(') The communication, page 16. 
(2) The communication, page 6. 
30.7.81 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 189/3 
by other workers while taking into account the parti­
cular nature of the activities involved. In these cir­
cumstances, the Committee sees the Commission's 
communication to the Council as a positive but 
inadequate move towards the development of a 
social action programme in the sea fishing industry. 
1.7. The Committee notes, with approval, that sev­
eral of the significant social measures proposed for 
sea fishermen by the Commission could be pro­
moted by Member States, with encouragement to 
the social partners to cooperate in a joint approach 
in an effort to solve the many pressing industrial 
and social problems in the industry. The Committee 
endorses these proposals but thinks that the Com­
mission should help to initiate consultations where 
necessary. 
1.8. The Commission's basic proposals are helpful 
partly because a harmonious social policy is a 
necessity (and recognized as such in the Treaty of 
Rome) and partly because no structural policy in the 
fisheries sector would stand a chance of success 
without effective back-up measures. 
1.9. Community rules should not ignore the wide 
variety of local conditions in the sea-fishing sector. 
However, an adequate and harmonized social 
framework must be created within which the sea-
fishing sector can adapt to change in the environ­
ment. Whatever the local conditions, vocational 
training will play a vital role in this respect. 
1.10. The need for medium and long-term solu­
tions in the economic, social and other spheres must 
not be allowed to push aside short-term remedies. 
2. Specific comments 
Community aid(s)-financial (The communication — 
paragraph 2.4) 
2.1. The Committee is unable to assess fully the 
scope of the measures proposed for the industry by 
the Commission which are necessary to secure the 
realization of the social objectives of a common 
fisheries policy advocated by the Commission in 
1966. 
22. In the communication to the Council, the 
Commission outlined the scope of the social aid 
which may be given by the European Social Fund 
where young people under the age of 25 are seeking their first employment or where persons are leaving 
fishing to work in another industry. Aid may also be 
granted where employment is affected by significant 
changes in conditions affecting marketing of prod­
ucts or where employment is affected by measures 
which facilitate technical progress (1). 
2.3. The Committee endorsed the new measures 
for Community aid advocated by the Commission 
in 1977 (2), as modified in 1980 — especially con­
tributions by the Community towards the cost of: 
(a) early retirement of sea fishermen, at a minimum 
age of 50, affected by the final withdrawal of 
vessels from fishing, and 
(b) the maintenance of income of sea fishermen 
who are out of work as a result of measures 
which provide for the temporary or permanent 
withdrawal of vessels from sea fishing where 
compensation is given by Member States (2) 
2.4. The Committee noted the provision in the 
amended Commission proposal to the effect that 
'the Community shall contribute towards the cost of 
such measures within the limits of the appropria­
tions entered for that purpose in the budget'. 
2.5. The Committee also welcomes the additional 
measures proposed by the Commission in 1980 
which would enable the EAGGF (the Agricultural 
Fund) to grant aid for projects concerned with the 
construction, equipment or modernization of assist­
ance, training and/or research in fisheries or aqua-
culture. 
2.6. The Committee would regret if the instrument 
which would authorize these necessary and modest 
measures of social aid did not have the approval of 
the Council. The Committee hopes that adequate 
financial aid will be forthcoming soon. 
2.7. The Committee considers that Community aid 
should be made available immediately (or quickly) 
especially where it is proposed to lay-up or to with­
draw vessels from operation on a temporary basis. 
Unless aid is made available quickly, when needed, 
(0 Decision 71/66/EEC, Articles 4 and 5 (OJ No L 28, 
4. 2. 1971 and OJ No L 337, 27. 12. 1977). 
(2) OJ No C 84, 8. 4. 1978. 
No C 189/4 Official Journal of the European Communities 30. 7.81 
employment may be put at risk because a temporary 
lay-off of workers may appear to be a permanent 
cessation of fishing activity. 
Community aid conditioned to working conditions and 
safety: (The communication —paragraph 5.7) 
2.8. The Committee reiterates its support (*) for the 
Commission's proposals (July 1980) to take account 
of working conditions and safety of workers when 
evaluating applications for aid towards restructur­
ing, modernizing and developing the fishing indus­
try. 
3. The social guidelines 
— Vocational training (and retraining) 
— Employment 
— Safety and health at work (at sea) 
— Working conditions 
(The communication — paragraph 1.3) 
4. Vocation training (and retraining) 
4.1. The Committee agrees with the Commission 
that there is a need for a substantial and 
coordinated effort to improve the range of voca­
tional training in the industry and that a Com­
munity training programme should be promoted 
with a 'back-up programme' including provision for 
retraining in mid-career, and refresher courses for 
instructors in fishing training. 
4.2. The adaptation of vocational training in line 
with the new requirements of the industry needs 
priority attention in a rapidly changing environ­
ment. 
4.3. Local training or retraining schemes should 
also take account of the acquired skills of experi­
enced fishermen so that skilled personnel may be 
retained, as far as possible, within the industry. 
4.4. The Committee considers that a high priority 
should be given to the provision of refresher courses 
for instructors in fishery training schemes, and to 
0) OJNoC348, 31. 12. 1980. the development and use of modern teaching aids 
such as simulators, and audio-visual equipment. 
4.5. In the view of the Committee there is a need 
for coordinated training schemes whether the indus­
try is in recession or expansion either generally or in 
some regions of the Community. 
A back-up programme (The communication — para­
graph 2.3) 
4.6. The Committee welcomes the Commission's 
intentions to have consultations with a working 
group, including representatives of the Member 
States and of the Joint Committee on Social Prob­
lems in Sea Fishing, in connection with the promo­
tion of a Community back-up programme for train­
ing in industry. 
5. Employment (The communication — paragraph 3) 
5.1. The Committee believes that inadequate sup­
port towards the development of the economic and 
social conditions for fishing activities have long 
made it the 'Cinderella' industry of the Community. 
The Committee wonders, therefore, whether the 
Commission's proposals affecting 'employment' 
will make enough impact quickly enough to support 
and secure employment in an industry having ser­
ious problems in its catching and marketing sectors. 
5.2. The Committee agrees with the Commission's 
assessment of the circumstances which have caused 
insecurity in employment for fishermen. These 
include the law of the sea (the 200 mile limit), the 
scarcity of some species of fish, the periodical prohi­
bition of fishing in some areas, the need for conser­
vation measures due to over-fishing, the under­
developed fisheries in coastal areas which are in a 
special situation because of their retarded economic 
and social development, their financial difficulties 
and their remoteness from the heart of the Com­
munity and the relatively very large decline in the 
number of fishing vessels in certain coastal areas in 
the heart of the Community. 
5.3. In the view of the Committee, the high cost of 
energy and credit has also contributed significantly 
to the economic difficulties in the industry. 
5.4. The Committee noted the significant decline 
in the number of sea fishermen (over 14 500) in the 
30. 7. 81 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 189/5 
period 1970 to 1978 (*), which generally reflects the 
fall in available stocks of fish, the closure or restric­
tion of access to some important fishing grounds, 
pollution and the use of new equipment and tech­
nology. 
5.5. In the opinion of the Committee the level of 
future employment in the industry will depend on: 
(a) the energetic promotion and development of a 
coherent Community policy on fisheries and 
fish products; 
(b) the development and modernization of the fish­
ing fleets and on-shore facilities; 
(c) realistic conservation and management of fish 
stocks and active discouragement of over-fish­
ing where necessary; improvements in the mar­
keting of fish, and the developments of the fish 
processing industry; 
(d) fishing agreements with third countries; 
(e) the promotion of job creation or job mainte­
nance programmes by Member States in coastal 
regions where fishing is not well developed or 
where the industry is in decline; 
(f) the availability of 'catches' for coastal fishermen 
who constitute the vast majority of fishermen in 
this sector. 
5.6. The Committee is convinced that the preserva­
tion of employment should be the principal objec­
tive of short-term policy measures. The protection of 
jobs should be given priority so that economic mea­
sures do not worsen the employment situation, or 
result in the lay-up of fishing vessels, redundancy 
and further insecurity. 
The less favoured coastal regions (The communication 
— paragraph 1.3.1 and 3.4) 
5.7. The Committee welcomes the proposals in the 
guidelines which visualize the implementation of 
EAGGF assisted action programmes in certain 
areas, including the provision of installations and 
job creation. 
(') The communication, page 13. Aid to young fishermen (The communication —para­
graph 3.3) 
5.8. The Committee supports the Commission's 
view that a system of aid to encourage the recruit­
ment of young fishermen should be introduced 
where they have difficulty in finding employment at 
sea. Job creation programmes at on-shore facilities, 
together with rotational training at sea, could help 
young persons to gradually acquire experience in 
the industry while waiting for regular work at sea. 
6. Safety and health at work (at sea) (The communi­
cation — paragraph 4) 
6.1. The Committee endorses the concern 
expressed by the Commission on the need to pro­
mote measures for safety at work at sea, including 
first aid, rescue facilities and health care. In the opi­
nion of the Committee, fishermen at sea should not 
be exposed to the increased risk of injury or loss of 
life at sea due to inadequate safety measures or res­
cue facilities. Apart from the need to improve safety 
at work on fishing vessels, there is also a necessity to 
have electronic equipment fitted to facilitate the 
location of vessels in distress, including survival 
equipment. 
A Council Directive on safety, health and the preven­
tion of accidents at work in the sea fishing sector: 
(The communication —page 6) 
6.2. The Committee welcomes, in particular, the 
Commission's intentions to present a proposal for a 
Council Directive on safety, health and the preven­
tion of accidents at work in the sea fishing sector. 
The Committee hopes that this proposal will emerge 
soon, as there is an urgent need for safety measures 
for vessels and crews well in advance of other mea­
sures which might not become generally effective 
except as a condition for Community aid. 
6.3. In the opinion of the Committee a tendency 
for skippers of coastal vessels to venture into mid-
water fishing, for which they are not adequately 
equipped, when coastal fishing is restricted or unre-
munerative, increases the need for adequate safety 
and rescue measures. This is a bad and risky venture 
which often results in the loss or the crew, vessel 
and catch. 
No C 189/6 Official Journal of the European Communities 30. 7. 81 
6.4. The Committee supports the Commission's 
proposals under a draft Regulation to condition aids 
for the industry to the observance of the minimum 
construction equipment and safety standards laid 
down by the International Convention (and recom­
mendation) (IMCO) of 1977, on safety on fishing 
vessels. The Committee has noted, with approval, 
that the Council has asked Member States to ratify 
the Convention by 31 July 1982, at the latest. 
Optional Directives (IMCO) (The communication — 
page 16) 
6.5. The Committee wonders why reference is 
made in the 'Communication' to the Optional 
Directives (IMCO) on the 'planning, construction 
and equipment of small fishing vessels between 12 
and 24 metres in length', in relation to the applica­
tion of a proposed Council Regulation in the fishing 
industry. 
6.6. The Committee noted the purpose and scope 
of the FAO/ILO/IMCO Voluntary guidelines on 
the design construction and equipment of small 
fishing vessels, 1980', as follows: 
'.. . these guidelines ... are not intended as a 
substitute for national laws and regulations but 
may serve as a guide to those concerned with 
framing such national laws and regulations. 
Each competent authority responsible for the 
safety of fishing vessels should ensure that the 
provisions of these guidelines are adapted to its 
specific requirements, having due regard to the 
size and type of vessels, their intended service 
and area of operation.' 
The gap which the Community could bridge (The com­
munication— page 17) 
6.7.1. The Committee views, with concern, the pro­
posal to limit structural aid to very much less than 
the estimated need for normal replacement of fish­
ing vessels due to budgetary restrictions. Conse­
quently, the commencement of safety measures con­
ditioned to Community aid, will be significantly 
retarded. This emphasizes the need to expedite the 
preparation of the proposals for the EEC Directive on safety, health and accident prevention at work in 
sea-fishing (*). 
6.7.2. The Committee, having noted that the mea­
sures recommended for the protection of crews of 
small fishing vessels by the FAO/ILO/IMCO 'Vol­
untary guidelines for the design, construction and 
equipment of small fishing vessels', 1980 (2), are 
similar to industrial safety laws generally, urges the 
Commission to consider recommending to Member 
States the extension of national safety laws, with 
suitable modifications, to motor fishing vessels, 
pending the commencement of the proposed EEC 
Directive on safety, health and accident prevention 
at work in the sea fishing sector. 
6.7.3. Noting that the Torremolinos Convention 
would apply only to new fishing vessels of 24 metres 
in length or more, the Committee welcomes the 
Commission proposals to encourage the provision 
of safety measures by conditioning Community aid 
to these and smaller vessels of 12 to 24 metres (six 
metres for non-trawling vessels) when they are being 
replaced or modernized with equipment for fishing 
and crew safety. 
6.8. The Committee wonders how a common fish­
eries policy could be fairly applied to the industry, 
and to those engaged in it, if the social conditions of 
fishermen (which have to be supported by the indus­
try) are uneven. Delay in the ratification of the 
IMCO Convention in some States, for example, 
would result in uneven standards of safety and 
uneven cost of production. 
First aid at sea (The communication —page 18) 
6.9. The Committee shares the concern of the 
Commission 'that adequate provision should be 
made to ensure that where sickness of injury occurs 
on Community fishing vessels at sea, appropriate 
health care should be available prior to the arrival of 
a doctor. 
6.10. The Committee considers that the measures 
proposed by the Commission, such as training in 
first aid, obligatory medical chest and hand books 
(') The communication, page 6. 
(2) The communication, page 16. 
30. 7. 81 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 189/7 
on board vessels, radio consultation, together with 
the assistance of support vessels, would be of great 
help to fishermen who are often a long way from 
sheltered ports or hospitals (J). 
6.11. The Committee wonders if enough is being 
done by the Community and in the Member States 
to provide a better service for the rescue and remo­
val of ill or injured fishermen to hospital. 
Accident and injury statistics (The communication — 
paragraph 4.23). 
6.12. The Committee regrets that information on 
accidents at sea which has been assembled by the 
Commission has not been published. 
7. Working conditions, fixed basic wage, paid holi­
days, hours of work (and rest), job security, etc. 
(The communication/paragraph 5) 
7.1. The Committee considers that a coherent com­
mon fisheries policy under which Community sup­
port is given to the industry should also provide for 
an adequate measure of safety, job security and rea­
sonable social conditions for fishermen generally. 
7.2. The Committee holds the view that fishermen 
should fare as well in social working conditions as 
other workers in the Community while taking into 
account the particular nature of the activities 
involved (2) and supports the policy of the Commis­
sion to take account of working and safety condi­
tions in the industry in the operation of the pro­
posed Regulation (3). 
A joint approach to industrial problems in sea fishing 
(The communication —page 4) 
7.3. The Committee supports the initiative in the 
Commission's guidelines regarding the promotion 
of a joint approach by the social sides in the indus­
try, with encouragement to reach agreement on pay, 
hours of work, holiday entitlements, job security, 
and organization of work. 
(1) The communication, page 19. 
(2) The communication, paragraph 1.1.1. 
(3) The communication, paragraph 5.7. A fixed basic wage (The communication — paragraph 
5.2) (4) 
1A. The Committee supports the Commission's 
suggestion that Member States could stimulate the 
creation of conditions in which fishermen with a 
contract of employment could have a minimum 
wage or a fixed basic wage while the other systems 
in operation could become more transparent. 
7.5. Given the traditions in sea fishing it is not sur­
prising that the share fishing system (with separate 
shares of the catch for the 'vessel' and the crew) has 
developed in the industry. Moreover, this system 
also reflects the insecurity of income in an industry 
which is passing through a crisis in several Member 
States. 
7.6. The Committee considers that a socially desir­
able minimum or guaranteed wage for share fisher­
men with a contract of employment (who are paid 
wholly or mainly by way of a share of the 'catch'), is 
not inconsistent with the principles and objectives 
of profit-sharing schemes, and could be adapted to 
'share-fishing'. (The majority of share fishermen in 
several Member States are not co-owners of fishing 
vessels.) 
7.7. Moreover, a fixed basic wage or a guaranteed 
income scheme could be provided for regular share 
fishermen under the principles of social insurance. 
The scheme could be funded within the industry so 
as to provide a minimum income when vessels are 
idle due to bad weather or other adverse circum­
stances. The scheme could be organized more or less 
on the lines of the 'Wet-time payment schemes' 
applicable to some land-based industries. 
7.8. The Committee noted that the labour laws in 
some Member States enables the owners of fishing 
vessels, fishermen who are 'employees', (or trade 
unions), to ask for the establishment of Joint Labour 
Committees or joint industrial councils to negotiate 
for minimum pay, holidays with pay, and working 
conditions in the fishing and other industries, with­
out government intervention. 
(4) Commission corrigendum dated 9 December 1980 to 
the communication (English version only). 
No C 189/8 Official Journal of the European Communities 30. 7. 81 
(Hours of work (and rest); (The communication — 
paragraph 5.3) 
7.9. The Committee noted that the sea fishermen 
appear to work an excessive number of hours com­
pared with workers in other industries. Excessive 
hours of work, on land or sea, are socially undesira­
ble and may contribute to accidents and injuries at 
work. 
7.10. The Committee accepts that excessive hours 
of work on land or sea, whether voluntary or invo­
luntary, without adequate periods of rest, results in 
fatigue and would contribute to occupational acci­
dents and injuries. Moreover, such statistics on 
occupational accidents as are available indicate that 
fishing activities appear to have a much greater acci­
dent risk than most other occupations. There is an 
implied link between the longer periods of work and 
the accident ratio in fishing activities. 
7.11. The Committee agrees with the Commission 
that the frequency of accidents at sea should involve 
some effort in Member States to reduce hours of 
work and to introduce hours of rest on voyages of 
significant duration. The Commission has suggested 
a minimum of eight hours' rest per 24 hours' work of 
which six would be consecutive, where vessels are at 
sea for more than 48 hours. The Committee also 
supports this proposal. 
Holiday entitlement (The communication — para­
graph 5.4) 
7.12. The Committee agrees that 'a paid period of 
rest on land' proportionate to the number of days 
spent at sea would be an important step towards 
placing fishermen on an equal footing with other 
workers. 
Job security and organization of work (The communi­
cation —paragraphs 5.5 and 5.6) 
7.13. The Committee supports measures which 
lead to greater job security under contracts of 
employment. 
7.14. The Committee considers that practical and 
social advantages could accrue to fishermen through 
improvements in the organization of work, "and more efficient use of equipment leading to reduced 
work-loads for fishing crews. 
7.15. Adaptation of working conditions and safety 
measures — for fishermen (The communica­
tion — page 21) 
7.16. The Committee has noted that in relation to 
working and social conditions, the Commission has 
concluded that it does not seem appropriate, at pres­
ent, to take uniform action at Community level to 
amend labour law affecting fishermen and that 
'such action might be futile'. 
7.17. The Committee considers that uniform action 
by the Community on labour law in the fishing 
industry, under a common fisheries policy, would 
not be inefective or futile if conditioned to common 
structural and economic measures, and Community 
aid for the industry. 
Consultations (The communication —paragraph 4.27) 
7.18. The Committee commends the recommenda­
tion of the Commission that Member States should 
organize consultations between the two sides of 
industry (ship owners and fishermen) and the au­
thorities at regional and local level in connection 
with the promotion of safety and accident preven­
tion at sea. 
7.19. The Committee also welcomes the Commis­
sion's proposals to organize adequate consultations 
at Community level, involving representatives of the 
Member States and of the Joint Committee on 
Social Problems in sea fishing, so that agreement 
may be reached on the practical proposals for the 
development of health safety and the prevention of 
accidents. 
7.20. In supporting the Commission's view that 
fishermen should be on an equal footing with other 
workers, the Committee endorses the recommenda­
tion that Member States could promote and encour­
age a joint approach by the two sides of industry to 
seek agreement on social and industrial problems. 
7.21. The Committee wonders, however, why the 
Commission has not recommended that these con-
30. 7.81 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 189/9 
sulfations should also be initiated or organized by 
Member States, in common with those on accident 
prevention and safety at work. 7.22. The Committee considers that these consulta­
tions should be jointly initiated by the Commission 
and Member States. 
Done at Brussels, 26 May 1981 
The Chairman 
of the Economic and Social Committee 
Tomas ROSEINGRAVE