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.