The Fishmongers'​ Company’s Post

25 going on 10… As I enter the tenth year of leading the FISH Safety Foundation (FSF), it’s an opportune time to reflect on who we are, where we come from, what we’ve done so far, and what remains to be done. Although the FSF was only officially established in New Zealand at the beginning of 2016, the initial conceptual and development work was done some 25 years ago in South Africa following a request by Brandt Wagner in the late 1990s to provide input into an #ILO study on fisher safety globally (the origin of the much-quoted 24 000 fisher fatality number). This contact was based on the fishing safety work I had started in 1994 in Southern Africa. Brandt’s request then planted the seed for what we’re doing today! In fact, I’ve recently rediscovered an old article I wrote after the ILO study advocating for the launch of (a) FISH Safety Foundation (a non-profit charity, to promote safety in fishing) in the January 2000 edition of the “Fishing News International’…. On a personal level, as a mariner who first went to sea 45 years ago, and who has always had close ties to the sea, small boats and fishing, working in the broader maritime industry was pretty much a given. In the intervening years following the conceptualisation of the FSF idea, the dream never died, but life intervened…. but since our formal establishment in January 2016 as a totally independent global organisation, we’ve worked tirelessly at promoting improved health and safety outcomes in the fishing industry (see our website for details: www.fishsafety.org), particularly in the small-scale sector in the Global South countries. And along the way, we’ve met and worked with some amazing fishers, communities and wonderfully passionate people who share our vision of a safer fishing industry. Thank you to all our past and present FSF employees, Trustees, Associates, supporters, and friends. Over the past 9 years, we have also worked with (and have been funded by) some fantastic organisations (including #FAO, #IMO, #ILO, #Pew and #LRFoundation). To all these organisations – thank you! Without your support we wouldn’t have been able to play our small part in making the fishing world a safer place. So what’s next? In 2025 we will continue our present projects with #ThaiUnion, and also #DAI on the UK-funded #COAST project. We’re also looking to building on our #FISHER accident reporting and database programme (see: www.fisherproject.org), especially with the support of #BOBPIGO, #PSTU, #GISLI, and others. So, as we start our 10th year (or is that our 25th?) at the FISH Safety Foundation, there’s a lot happening. Please feel free to contact me if you’d like to contribute in any way, share ideas, become an Associate, or just say Hi. It’s been a wonderful journey so far, and I look forward to the next phase. I wish all our fishers and mariners – wherever you are in the World – best wishes for a fantastic 2025! Fair Winds and Following Seas….

Navigating the future: safety first! What an appropriate theme for this years World Maritime Day. Congratulations International Maritime Organization for pushing the safety agenda since the organisation was established in 1948. #FISHPlatform Cor Blonk (AFNI) and Robert Greenwood look forward to meeting you soon to discuss #fishersafety and how #IFFS is being deployed to help with the same. Fishers make up the majority of global seafarers, but their safety is often overlooked. Working with partners #IFFS is about fishers developing fisher safety projects, for fishers, and compliance with international fisheries safety regulations is the core of our eligibility criteria. Partnership works. The Seafarers’ Charity Lloyd's Register Foundation #fishersafety #safetyfirst #worldmaritimeday

Help Us Protect the Vital Menhaden Population in the NY/NJ Bight! The Atlantic menhaden reduction fishing industry is once again targeting menhaden schools off the coasts of New Jersey, and New York. These small but mighty fish are crucial to our marine ecosystems, serving as a primary food source for whales, dolphins, birds, and popular game fish. But the industrial-scale removal of hundreds of millions of menhaden each year is threatening the delicate balance of marine life and the economic activities that rely on a healthy menhaden population. We Need Your Help! The New York-New Jersey Bight, stretching from Cape May, NJ to Montauk, NY, is a critical feeding area for juvenile humpback whales and striped bass. Despite this, the menhaden industry is traveling more than 250 miles to target fish in this ecologically sensitive region, disrupting local ecosystems and endangering vital species. Sign our petition calling on the Biden administration and Commerce Secretary Raimondo to enact emergency measures that protect this crucial region from industrial menhaden fishing until science can prove that no harm is being caused. Your support can make a difference! By signing the petition, you’re not just safeguarding marine life—you’re also supporting recreational fishing and ecotourism, preserving the economic benefits of healthy coastal ecosystems, and standing up against unsustainable practices. But we can’t do this alone. We need your financial support to continue this critical fight. Every donation helps us amplify our message, engage with policymakers, and mobilize our community to protect the Menhaden and our oceans. Donate today and sign the petition: https://lnkd.in/eUcHVW3Z Together, we can make a difference. Menhaden are too valuable to take in such large numbers for salmon farms, inexpensive pet food, and foreign profit. Let’s ensure their future—and the future of our oceans—before it’s too late. #menhadendefenders #nobunkernohumpbacks #nobunkernobass #ProtectOurOceans #SustainableFishing #MarineConservation #MenhadenDefenders #menhaden #fishing #birding #whalewatching

Help Us Protect the Vital Menhaden Population in the NY/NJ Bight! The Atlantic menhaden reduction fishing industry is once again targeting menhaden schools off the coasts of New Jersey, and New York. These small but mighty fish are crucial to our marine ecosystems, serving as a primary food source for whales, dolphins, birds, and popular game fish. But the industrial-scale removal of hundreds of millions of menhaden each year is threatening the delicate balance of marine life and the economic activities that rely on a healthy menhaden population. We Need Your Help! The New York-New Jersey Bight, stretching from Cape May, NJ to Montauk, NY, is a critical feeding area for juvenile humpback whales and striped bass. Despite this, the menhaden industry is traveling more than 250 miles to target fish in this ecologically sensitive region, disrupting local ecosystems and endangering vital species. Sign our petition calling on the Biden administration and Commerce Secretary Raimondo to enact emergency measures that protect this crucial region from industrial menhaden fishing until science can prove that no harm is being caused. Your support can make a difference! By signing the petition, you’re not just safeguarding marine life—you’re also supporting recreational fishing and ecotourism, preserving the economic benefits of healthy coastal ecosystems, and standing up against unsustainable practices. But we can’t do this alone. We need your financial support to continue this critical fight. Every donation helps us amplify our message, engage with policymakers, and mobilize our community to protect the Menhaden and our oceans. Donate today and sign the petition: https://lnkd.in/evDtgC88 Together, we can make a difference. Menhaden are too valuable to take in such large numbers for salmon farms, inexpensive pet food, and foreign profit. Let’s ensure their future—and the future of our oceans—before it’s too late. #menhadendefenders #nobunkernohumpbacks #nobunkernobass #ProtectOurOceans #SustainableFishing #MarineConservation #MenhadenDefenders #menhaden #fishing #birding #whalewatching

IFFS GOES GLOBAL – 65,000 FISHERS SUPPORTED Within nine months of launching, the International Fund for Fishing Safety, (IFFS) has committed funding totalling £220,000 to support six fishing safety projects in South Africa, Ghana, Fiji, Kenya, Thailand and Vietnam. Together, these first six initiatives are directly improving the safety of 65,000 fishers. https://lnkd.in/eUArPt9A

IFFS GOES GLOBAL – 65,000 FISHERS SUPPORTED Within nine months of launching, the International Fund for Fishing Safety, (IFFS) has committed funding totalling £220,000 to support six fishing safety projects in South Africa, Ghana, Fiji, Kenya, Thailand and Vietnam. Together, these first six initiatives are directly improving the safety of 65,000 fishers. https://lnkd.in/eUArPt9A

Entire communities, farms, and wildlife have been devastated. The flames moved swiftly, consuming homes, farms, and habitats and left families, employees, and animals with nothing. The aftermath is heartbreaking. Fires have swept across Gauteng and Limpopo over the last week, leaving destruction in their wake. Entire communities, farms, and wildlife reserves have been devastated. The flames moved swiftly, consuming homes, farms, and habitats, and leaving families, employees, and animals with nothing. The aftermath is heartbreaking. Fields that once provided food are now charred wastelands. Wildlife is disoriented, and farmers are left without resources to care for their animals and workers. People are waking up to the grim reality of having no food, no shelter, and no clothes. In the face of such devastation, we must unite. Your donations will provide immediate relief by helping transport feed to those who have lost everything. It’s not just about feeding livestock; it’s about helping people rebuild their lives. Veld that once provided food are now charred wastelands. Wildlife is disoriented, and farmers are left without resources to care for their animals and workers. People are waking up to the grim reality of having no food, no shelter, and no clothes. In the face of such devastation, we must unite. Your donations will provide immediate relief by helping transport feed to those who have lost everything. It’s not just about feeding livestock; it’s about helping people rebuild their lives. Donate: https://lnkd.in/gt2hfkAa #BeTheDifference #WRSAFoundation #BeTheBeacon #WRSAFoundation #wildaboutranching #WRSA #Wildliferanching #ourgame #conservation #sustainable

Wild Spirit Wolf Sanctuary is one of the largest wolf sanctuaries in the United States, with 77 rescues! We currently offer sanctuary to multiple canid species including wolves, wolfdogs, red foxes, coyotes, Australian dingoes, and New Guinea singing dogs. These species all thrive on a raw meat diet and as a non-profit organization, the food we feed our animals is donation based. Feeding such a large quantity of rescues can be challenging, especially as we try to feed a high quality diet to keep them in good health. In the wild, wolves eat lean meat from large ungulate species such as deer, elk, and bison. Sources of meat such as these are difficult to come by, but as we continue to build relationships with our local farmers, ranchers, community members, and visitors, we hope to offer you all a service. If you or someone you know has livestock that has passed away or needs to be humanely euthanized, please consider donating them to our facility. We would consider it an honor to assist you and your animal, rather than having to dispose of the deceased in a landfill, or go through the costly process of cremation. If you are interested in donating, contact our sanctuary at rachel.wawrzynski@wildspiritwolfsanctuary.org or by phone at (505)-775-3304. Any donations made to our facility are tax-deductible and we can provide a receipt for an in-kind donation that reflects the value of your donation. At the current moment in time, we do not have the means to pick up larger animals such as horses and cows. However, for smaller animals (ex. chickens, rabbits, goats, sheep) or other types of donations, if you live within a 2-hour radius of Wild Spirit, located in Ramah, NM, we are able to schedule a pick-up at our earliest convenience. Pre-arranged drop-offs are also welcome! Please contact us with any questions about pick-up or delivery at the contact information above. Photo: high-content wolfdog Mowgli

IFFS GOES GLOBAL – 65,000 FISHERS SUPPORTED Within nine months of launching, the International Fund for Fishing Safety, (IFFS) has committed funding totalling £220,000 to support six fishing safety projects in South Africa, Ghana, Fiji, Kenya, Thailand and Vietnam. Together, these first six initiatives are directly improving the safety of 65,000 fishers. https://lnkd.in/eF-DkQ2u

💡 Spotlight on Partnership for Species: Blue wildebeest Conservation Status: Least Concern 🟢 The blue wildebeest is also called the brindled gnu, who knew? While their population is stable, they are at risk of population decline due to increased settlement and introduced livestock in their range in Africa. Blue wildebeest are one of the 18 species managed under our Partnership for Species (PFS) program. The goal of PFS is to achieve population sustainability in both captivity and in their native habitat. Support PFS and our other programs by donating or learning more: https://lnkd.in/gfHX8FGJ #conservation #wildebeest #rewild 📸Disney's Animal Kingdom