24/2/23, 13:51 Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) — Seafish

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Responsible sourcing Tools for Ethical Seafood Sourcing Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA)

Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA)

Organisation

Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA)

Location

UK

Type

Regulation

Sector

At sea

The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) is the UK Government

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Maritime Authority.

Its responsibilities include the production and oversight of legislation and guidance on maritime
matters including those relating to seafarer safety and health. Seafarer safety and health is not a
devolved responsibility.

The MCA will implement ILO 188 for the UK (England Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland). The
MCA is also the statutory authority for enforcing Merchant Shipping legislation. MCA inspectors
have the power to board fishing vessels at all reasonable times and to inspect it to ensure
compliance with the regulations; these inspections extend to equipment and documentation.
They have the power to prosecute, detain vessels and issue improvement notices.

MCA legislation and guidance includes measures for the safety of everybody in a vessel in UK
waters; the safety of all seafarers on UK flagged vessels; making sure all equipment on UK
vessels is fit for purpose; and making sure all seafarers on UK vessels have correct
documentation.

Implementing ILO 188 Work in Fishing Convention in the UK

The MCA has published a series of Merchant Shipping Notices, Marine Guidance Notes and
Marine Information Notes to help fishing vessel owners (which includes the manager), skippers
and fishers to understand the new requirements. The MCA is encouraging the industry to look at
the M Notices to understand how the UK legislation implementing the Convention applies, rather
than to look at the ILO 188 convention itself.

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The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) Marine Guidance Note (MGN 605 (F)) in March
2019 drew attention to the key areas of ILO 188, new legislation and the accompanying Merchant
Shipping Notices (MSN) and Marine Guidance Notices (MGN), where they can be found and how
together they implement ILO 188. It summarises the main changes for UK fishing vessels caused
by implementation of ILO 188 and lists the implementing legislation and supporting guidance for
ILO 188 and explains where to find it. It also outlines the timetable for progressive
implementation of certain provisions of ILO 188.

In January 2020 the MCA announced it was stepping up monitoring of the fishing industry and
compliance with ILO 188. The MCA will be taking full advantage of resources and new
technology, for example, the use of new fixed-wing aircraft with high quality cameras onboard.

In May 2020 the MCA published two new Marine Guidance Notes to address living on board
fishing vessels. This acknowledged, that for non-EEA crew members, living on board vessels is a
reality and that fatalities and incidents have occurred whilst fishers have been living on board
fishing vessels, alongside in port. MGN 413 provides a Voluntary Code of Practice for
Employment of Non-EEA Fishing Crew. MGN 425 draws the attention of owners and crew to the
inherent dangers on vessels not properly equipped for overnight sleeping on board and what
emergency procedures should be in place.

Seafish Briefing Note. ILO 188. What it means for the UK fishing industry and
those operating in UK waters. July 2019.
This briefing note provides an overview of what is covered by the new legislation and what
changes this will bring about. The new legislative requirements have been split into those
covering health and safety and those covering working conditions. There is also guidance on
where to look for further information.
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Significance for seafood businesses: 

This is seafood- specific. ILO 188 will be legally binding on all countries that have ratified the
Convention.

Find out more

To find out more click on the links below. Please note you will be taken to an external website.

MCA ILO 188 notices

Marine Guidance Note 605. March 2019

Marine Guidance Note 413. May 2020

Marine Guidance Note 425. May 2020

Seafish ILO 188 briefing note. July 2019.

Other records on TESS you may find helpful:

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ILO Conventions. Work in Fishing Convention (2007) C188

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