Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2021, published 110th ILC session (2022)

Sierra Leone

Fishermen's Competency Certificates Convention, 1966 (No. 125) (Ratification: 1967)
Accommodation of Crews (Fishermen) Convention, 1966 (No. 126) (Ratification: 1967)

The Committee notes the Government’s reports on the application of Conventions Nos 125 and 126 on the fishing sector. In order to provide a comprehensive view of the issues relating to the application of the ratified Conventions on fishing, the Committee considers it appropriate to examine them together.

The Committee notes that the Government indicates that the fishing industry operates mainly along coastal waters. Its fishing fleet consists of an estimated total of 138 decked vessels and includes trawlers or shrimpers which produce fish for the local market and high-priced export products. A significant portion of the fleet is made up of foreign vessels operating under licence agreements as well as joint-venture arrangements. Artisanal fishing activities are carried out by an estimated 7,395 canoes employing around 44,000 fishers and inland fishing is mostly undertaken at subsistence level with the involvement of about 27,000 fishers. The Committee notes that the information provided by the Government confirms the relevance of the Conventions under examination for the country.

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Committee notes with deep concern the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the protection of fishers’ rights as laid out in the Conventions. In this regard, the Committee refers to the resolution adopted by the Governing Body in its 340th Session (GB.340/Resolution) concerning maritime labour issues and COVID-19 disease, which calls on Member States to take measures to address the adverse impacts of the pandemic on fishers’ rights, and requests the Government to provide information in its next report on any temporary measures adopted in this regard, their duration and their impact on fishers’ rights.”.

Fishermen’s Competency Certificates Convention, 1966 (No. 125)

Articles 3–15 of the Convention. Certificates of competency and professional experience required. Further to its previous comments requesting the Government to provide detailed information on any concrete progress made with respect to the adoption of national laws implementing the Convention, the Government refers to a number of legislative provisions related to management and development of fisheries and aqua culture, which, however, are not relevant for the implementation of the Convention. The Committee accordingly requests the Government, once again, to adopt without delay the necessary measures to give effect to the Convention.

Accommodation of Crews (Fishermen) Convention, 1966 (No. 126)

Articles 6, 10 and 12 of the Convention. Crew accommodation. In its previous comment, the Committee requested the Government to provide information on any concrete progress made in respect of the adoption of new legislation ensuring the implementation of Article 6(7)–(9) and (11)–(16) of the Convention (structure and arrangement of crew accommodation), Article 10(22) and (26) (furniture and berthing), and Article 12(2), (7), (10) and (11) (sanitary and laundry facilities), in respect of vessels of 75 gross registered tons or more. In the absence of information on any developments in this regard, the Committee requests the Government to adopt the necessary measures without delay to give effect to these requirements of the Convention.