Preventing commercial fishing deaths in Alaska

Objectives-To evaluate the effectiveness of the United States Commercial Fi shing Industry Vessel Safety Act of 1988 in reducing the high occupational death rate (200/100 000/year in 1991-2) among Alaska's commercial fishermen . Methods-Comprehensive surveillance of deaths in commercial fishing was esta blished by our office during 1991 and 1992 for Alaska. Demographic data and data on risk factors and incidents were compiled and analysed for trend. Results-During 1991-8, there was a significant (p<0.001) decrease in deaths in Alaska related to commercial fishing. Although drownings from fishermen falling overboard and events related to crab fishing vessels (often conduc ted far offshore and in winter) have continued to occur, marked progress (s ignificant downward trend, p<0.001) has been made in saving the lives of pe ople involved in vessels capsising and sinking. Conclusions-Specific measures tailored to prevent drowning associated with vessels capsising and sinking in Alaska's commercial fishing industry have been successful. However, these events continue to occur, and place fisherm en and rescue personnel at substantial risk. Additional strategies must be identified to reduce the frequency of vessels capsising and sinking, to ena ble parallel improvements in the mortality among crab fishermen, and to pre vent fishermen falling overboard and drownings associated with them.