Major new research to investigate safety at sea

Major new research to investigate safety at sea

Health issues affecting the catching sector of the fishing industry will be the subject of major new research by a team from the University of Aberdeen.

The team from the University’s Department of General Practice and Primary Care, led by Dr Catriona Matheson, has been commissioned to carry out the research by Fishing Industry Safety and Health Limited (FISH). FISH is an organisation set up by the Scottish White Fish Producers Association to address health and safety issues affecting the fishing industry. Already the company has promoted a highly successful drugs conference at Banff and Buchan College of Further Education in Fraserburgh.

It is anticipated that the findings of the £94,000, 15-month project, the first of its kind in Scotland, will make a significant contribution towards the improvement of safety at sea. It will also provide information for a valuable database, which will provide the basis for future training programmes for fishermen.

The main problem areas that the team will be looking at include diet, the use of medicines at sea, stress, fatigue, drug and alcohol use, and access to health services, such as doctors and dentists.

Information will be gathered from a wide range of sources, including fishing organisations and healthcare professionals. There will also be an audit of the use of accident and emergency services by fishermen. A questionnaire will be issued to around 1,000 (a quarter) of Scotland’s skippers and crewmen in the coming weeks, the largest survey of its kind in this country.

Dr Matheson said the active support of the entire catching sector in the fishing industry would be required to provide information vital to the success of the research programme.

“This project is the result of collaboration between the University of Aberdeen and the Scottish fishing industry.

“The results will inform and direct future initiatives such as training to ultimately improve the health and safety of fishermen.”

Funding for the project has been provided by the Maritime Coastguard Agency, the European Union and SeaFish, an organisation aimed at promoting the fish industry.

INTERVIEW OPPORTUNITY: Dr Matheson and Mr George MacRae, Secretary, Scottish White Producers Association, will be available for interview today (Tuesday, February 1). Dr Matheson can be contacted on (01224) 681818, ext 54490, while Mr MacRae can be contacted on (01346) 514545.

Search News

Browse by Month

2024

  1. Jan
  2. Feb
  3. Mar
  4. Apr
  5. May
  6. Jun
  7. Jul
  8. Aug
  9. Sep
  10. Oct
  11. Nov There are no items to show for November 2024
  12. Dec There are no items to show for December 2024

2004

  1. Jan
  2. Feb
  3. Mar
  4. Apr
  5. May
  6. Jun
  7. Jul
  8. Aug
  9. Sep
  10. Oct
  11. Nov There are no items to show for November 2004
  12. Dec

2003

  1. Jan
  2. Feb
  3. Mar
  4. Apr
  5. May
  6. Jun
  7. Jul
  8. Aug
  9. Sep
  10. Oct
  11. Nov
  12. Dec There are no items to show for December 2003

1999

  1. Jan There are no items to show for January 1999
  2. Feb There are no items to show for February 1999
  3. Mar
  4. Apr
  5. May
  6. Jun
  7. Jul
  8. Aug
  9. Sep
  10. Oct
  11. Nov
  12. Dec

1998

  1. Jan
  2. Feb
  3. Mar
  4. Apr There are no items to show for April 1998
  5. May
  6. Jun
  7. Jul There are no items to show for July 1998
  8. Aug There are no items to show for August 1998
  9. Sep
  10. Oct
  11. Nov There are no items to show for November 1998
  12. Dec