Voluntary sustainability standards and industrial fisheries: Roles of friend of the sea certification on occupational safety and working conditions in Nigeria, Gulf of Guinea

Fishing, especially within industrial sectors, is widely recognized as one of the most dangerous occupations in the world, as fishers are exposed to adverse physical and environmental risks. While legal frameworks in Nigeria provide occupational safety and labor protections for industrial fishers, inconsistencies in enforcement and compliance persist. Voluntary sustainability standards (VSS) have been promoted as market-based mechanisms to reduce risks, increase safety compliance, and improve working conditions. Despite their relevance, evidence of their impacts on industrial fisheries remains unclear. This study examines the effects of the Friend of the Sea (FOS) certification program on the occupational safety and working conditions of industrial fishers in Nigeria's Gulf of Guinea, Atlantic Ocean. A mixed methods approach was employed, integrating quantitative surveys with semi-structured interviews with key informant to facilitate triangulation among participants recruited from FOS-certified and Business as Usual (BAU) fishing companies. Bivariate analyses revealed that FOS-certified fishers were significantly more likely to have adequate safety equipment (98.0% vs. 74.8%), access to health personnel and emergency services (100% vs. 17.4%), and training opportunities (98.5% vs. 46.8%). Multivariate logistic regression confirmed these associations such that absence of safety equipment was associated with a 0.364 decrease in the probability of FOS certification; no injury history with a 0.291 increase; no exposure to unsafe conditions with a 0.400 increase; and lack of training access with a 0.535 decrease (all p < 0.001). These findings suggest that, despite statutory legal protections in Nigeria, participation of fishing companies in the FOS certification programme may enhance the implementation of safety standards and improve occupational health outcomes among industrial fishers.