Abbie Topping – December 2025
Introduction
Last month, from 12th to 13th November 2025, the FISH Platform Fisher Safety, Health and Welfare Conference 2025 brought together an extraordinary global community in Bali, Indonesia — fishers, researchers, policymakers, industry leaders, technologists, and advocates all united by one commitment: improving the lives, safety and dignity of the world’s 39 million fishers. What unfolded over a couple of days in Bali was a powerful reminder of what collaboration can achieve when we centre the voices and wellbeing of fishers.
The conference opened with a sense of energy and shared determination. Delegates from across every region and fishery type arrived in Bali to explore solutions to some of the most pressing issues in global fisheries: safety at sea, decent work, fair recruitment, climate resilience, and the future of sustainable fishing communities.
For many of the attendees, Bali offered something long-awaited; the chance to meet colleagues they had only ever interacted with through screens. Delegates from across the world were able to meet face-to-face for the first time. Special thanks were given to partners and practitioners from Indonesia, Bangladesh, Vietnam, the Pacific, the UK, Europe and beyond whose leadership strengthens fisher safety efforts in their communities. These connections are the heart of the FISH Platform. They are what turn ideas into action.
Conference Highlights
Day 1: Grounded in Reality, Focused on Solutions
Sessions explored:
✓ First-hand stories from fishers, grounding data in real lives
✓ New research on safety and human factors, including the impact of sleep deprivation
✓ The practical challenges fishers face daily — from shifting climate conditions to economic vulnerability
✓ Lively discussions on financing safety and scaling community-led solutions
It was a day full of honesty, insight and ambition
Day 2: Strengthening Collaboration and Scaling Impact
Discussions centred on:
✓ Training, technology and risk management to reduce accidents
✓ Improving living and working conditions on vessels
✓ Labour rights, fair recruitment and social protection
✓ The links between policy, enforcement, and everyday practice
The voices of fishers and frontline practitioners were particularly powerful — reminding everyone that progress is measured not in documents, but in lives safeguarded and communities supported.
Closing Reflections
As the conference concluded, appreciation was shared widely:
✓ To speakers for bringing expertise and lived experience
✓ To delegates for their questions, commitment and collaboration
✓ To sponsors and partners for enabling global action
✓ To the logistical and hospitality teams in Bali
The event’s success was also a testament to the guidance of FISH Platform Chair Cor Blonk— whose leadership and dedication were celebrated throughout the week.
A Milestone for the Future of Fisher Welfare
For SFACT, helping support and bring this conference to life has been a privilege. It reflects our long-standing commitment to strengthening fishing communities, supporting decent work, and championing the rights and wellbeing of small-scale and industrial fishers worldwide.
Bali was more than a conference — it was a collective promise. A promise to work together, to listen to fishers, and to build the safer, fairer, more resilient future they deserve.
We look forward to the continued collaboration ahead, and to the momentum generated in Bali becoming real-world change across fisheries globally.
