Research Article

Current practices and development of occupational health and safety on fishing vessels: Assessment with L-type matrix method

Volume: 14 Number: 4 December 31, 2025

Current practices and development of occupational health and safety on fishing vessels: Assessment with L-type matrix method

Abstract

Today, occupational health and safety (OHS) practices are made mandatory in all sectors by the agreements signed by the International Labour Organization (ILO) and its member countries, and each country implements the terms of these agreements into its own legislation. The fishing industry is classified as hazardous in terms of occupational health and safety in Türkiye and around the world. In the Turkish legislation, it is stated that “Fishing in sea and coastal waters (including purse seine fishing and fisheries)” is included in the dangerous class with the code 03.11.01 in the Annex-1 Workplace Hazard Classes (NACE) list of the “Communiqué on Workplace Hazard Classes Related to Occupational Health and Safety” published in the official gazette on 26.12.2012. Fishing activities are particularly intense in the Western Black Sea region. However, studies on occupational health and safety are very limited, both regionally and nationally. In our study, occupational health and safety practices in 6 sample fishing vessels in the İnebolu district of Kastamonu Province, which was selected as a pilot region, were examined by creating a checklist within the scope of the “Regulation on Health and Safety Measures in Work Performed on Fishing Vessels” based on the law numbered 6331 and were subsequently evaluated with the 5×5 L type matrix method. In addition, percentage differences were determined with our original methods, and in practice, it was determined which differences caused what kind of problems or improvements. For purse seiners, 22 main risk groups and 89 sub-risk groups were identified. For trawlers, 21 main risk groups and 85 sub-risk groups were identified. The first 19 main risk groups and the first 78 sub-risk groups identified for both purse seiners and trawlers are the same. The other main and sub-risk groups are risk factors specific to purse seiners and trawlers. The results were then compared statistically, identifying differences and similarities. The results were also supported with tables and heat maps. As a result, detailed risk analyses have been conducted to reveal the current situation and possible improvement suggestions for fishing vessels that receive or do not receive OHS services.

Keywords

Supporting Institution

This study was funded by TÜBİTAK within the scope of “TÜBİTAK 2209/A University Students Research Projects Support Program”.

Thanks

We would like to thank the trawlers and purse seiners moored at İnebolu Port and Evrenye Port who contributed to this study and whose names are not disclosed due to trade secrets.

References

  1. Akar, Ö., & Demirci, A. (2023). Risk analysis, assessment and management for local fishing ports in north-eastern Mediterranean, Türkiye. Marine Science and Technology Bulletin, 12(2), 201-211. https://doi.org/10.33714/masteb.1241126
  2. Alli, B. O. (2008). Fundamental principles of occupational health and safety. Second edition. International Labour Organization.
  3. Atay, G., & Cengiz, Ö. (2022). Çitören (Van, Türkiye) balıkçılık faaliyetlerinin iş sağlığı ve güvenliği açısından incelenmesi [Investigation of fishing activities in Çitören (Van, Türkiye) for occupational health and safety]. Marine and Life Sciences, 4(2), 137-141. https://doi.org/10.51756/marlife.1129940
  4. Ayeko, M. (2002). Causes and contributing factors – Analysis of accidents involving fishing vessels in Canada. In J. M.Lincoln, D. S. Hudson, G. A. Conway & . Pescatore (Eds.), Proceedings of the International Fishing Industry Safety and Health Conference, Massachusetts, USA. pp. 197-210.
  5. Aytepe, H. G., Dalyan, O., & Pişkin, M. (2021a). Occupational health and safety in fishing boats in Çanakkale province. Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart University Journal of Marine Sciences and Fisheries, 4(2), 99-106. https://doi.org/10.46384/jmsf.963057
  6. Aytepe, H. G., Dalyan, O., Dalyan, H., & Pişkin, M. (2021b). Bazı balıkçı teknelerinde iş sağlığı ve güvenliği [Occupational health and safety on some fishing boats]. OHS ACADEMY, 4(3), 1-13. https://doi.org/10.38213/ohsacademy.1020191
  7. Bayraktar, B., Uyguçgil, H., & Konuk, A. (2018). Türkiye madencilik sektöründe iş kazalarının istatistiksel analizi [Statistical analysis of occupational accidents in turkey mining industry]. Scientific Mining Journal, 57(Special Issue), 85-90. https://doi.org/10.30797/madencilik.493212
  8. Bilim, A., Bilim, N., & Dündar, S. (2023). İş sağlığı ve güvenliği açısından Türkiye’deki riskli sektörlerin belirlenmesi. Karaelmas Journal of Occupational Health and Safety, 7(3), 129-138. https://doi.org/10.33720/kisgd.1255661

Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Fisheries Management

Journal Section

Research Article

Early Pub Date

December 30, 2025

Publication Date

December 31, 2025

Submission Date

November 20, 2025

Acceptance Date

December 22, 2025

Published in Issue

Year 2025 Volume: 14 Number: 4

APA
Çelebi, M., & Karga, M. (2025). Current practices and development of occupational health and safety on fishing vessels: Assessment with L-type matrix method. Marine Science and Technology Bulletin, 14(4), 203-226. https://doi.org/10.33714/masteb.1826789
AMA
1.Çelebi M, Karga M. Current practices and development of occupational health and safety on fishing vessels: Assessment with L-type matrix method. Mar. Sci. Tech. Bull. 2025;14(4):203-226. doi:10.33714/masteb.1826789
Chicago
Çelebi, Mahmut, and Mustafa Karga. 2025. “Current Practices and Development of Occupational Health and Safety on Fishing Vessels: Assessment With L-Type Matrix Method”. Marine Science and Technology Bulletin 14 (4): 203-26. https://doi.org/10.33714/masteb.1826789.
EndNote
Çelebi M, Karga M (December 1, 2025) Current practices and development of occupational health and safety on fishing vessels: Assessment with L-type matrix method. Marine Science and Technology Bulletin 14 4 203–226.
IEEE
[1]M. Çelebi and M. Karga, “Current practices and development of occupational health and safety on fishing vessels: Assessment with L-type matrix method”, Mar. Sci. Tech. Bull., vol. 14, no. 4, pp. 203–226, Dec. 2025, doi: 10.33714/masteb.1826789.
ISNAD
Çelebi, Mahmut - Karga, Mustafa. “Current Practices and Development of Occupational Health and Safety on Fishing Vessels: Assessment With L-Type Matrix Method”. Marine Science and Technology Bulletin 14/4 (December 1, 2025): 203-226. https://doi.org/10.33714/masteb.1826789.
JAMA
1.Çelebi M, Karga M. Current practices and development of occupational health and safety on fishing vessels: Assessment with L-type matrix method. Mar. Sci. Tech. Bull. 2025;14:203–226.
MLA
Çelebi, Mahmut, and Mustafa Karga. “Current Practices and Development of Occupational Health and Safety on Fishing Vessels: Assessment With L-Type Matrix Method”. Marine Science and Technology Bulletin, vol. 14, no. 4, Dec. 2025, pp. 203-26, doi:10.33714/masteb.1826789.
Vancouver
1.Mahmut Çelebi, Mustafa Karga. Current practices and development of occupational health and safety on fishing vessels: Assessment with L-type matrix method. Mar. Sci. Tech. Bull. 2025 Dec. 1;14(4):203-26. doi:10.33714/masteb.1826789

27116