Enhancing safety in Taiwan’s distant-water fishing industry: Integrating STCW-F for sustainable development

Distant-water fisheries is a crucial component of Taiwan's economy. However, the industry faces significant safety challenges, as high accident rates worldwide underscore the need for effective regulation. Although Taiwan is not a member of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), its extensive distant-water fleet operates under international scrutiny. The IMO’s 2023 revision of the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Fishing Vessel Personnel (STCW-F) sets stringent standards for crew competency. This study examines how Taiwan’s regulations align with these international standards. By standardizing training protocols to reduce accidents and ensuring workforce stability, alignment with the STCW-F directly supports the long-term sustainable development of the fishery sector. Using a multi-stage focus group approach, the study gathered expert insights from fishery authorities, associations, and shipowner representatives. The findings reveal critical gaps in medical fitness standards and training certification, offering a roadmap for policy consensus aimed at enhancing the safety and competitiveness of Taiwan's offshore fisheries. • Aligns Taiwan’s Distant-Water fisheries with the IMO STCW-F standards. • Utilizes multi-stage focus groups to collect expert insights. • Offers recommendations to improve workforce sustainability and competitiveness.