Disaster Management in Fisheries

8.1.10 The health authorities

The health authorities play a vital role in the improvement of safety for fishermen. The living conditions on board fishing vessels are very basic and there are often health problems. One of the major causes of death at sea in some countries is from diarrhea, caused by bad hygiene onboard the vessels. HIV/AIDS are more frequent in fishing communities than in others; information and awareness campaigns for fishermen and their families are very important.