Sanur, Bali, Indonesia – November 13, 2025
At the FISH Platform Asian Conference 2025, held at the Hyatt Regency Bali, international delegates from over 40 countries signed the historic Bali Declaration, committing to universal standards of health, safety, and decent work for all fishers, regardless of nationality, vessel type, or area of operation.
The conference brought together governments, industry leaders, fisher associations, NGOs, and academic experts at a pivotal moment for the global fishing sector, which faces mounting challenges: hazardous working conditions, volatile markets, climate impacts, and the reality that commercial fishing is increasingly a cross-border industry.
Key Highlights of the Bali Declaration:
- Universal Protection:
Stakeholders commit to extending safety, health, and legal protections to all fishers, including migrants and those operating on foreign-flagged or small-scale vessels. - International Standards:
The Declaration reaffirms the urgent need to implement and enforce international conventions such as the ILO C188, Cape Town Agreement, and the FAO Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries—areas where progress has lagged despite global consensus. - Decent Work & Living Conditions:
Signatories pledge to advocate for fair wages, safe workplaces, access to health care, rest, and protection from exploitation or forced labour for fishers worldwide. - Inclusive Governance:
Fishers and their communities will be empowered in policy design and implementation, ensuring reforms are rooted in the realities of those at sea. - Transparency & Accountability:
The Declaration calls for improved data collection and open reporting on fishing safety and labour practices. - Capacity Building:
Investment in education, cross-border collaboration, and community resilience to make sustainable, safe fishing a global standard.
A Model for Global Action:
A notable highlight was the Indonesian initiative Gerakan Ingat Selamat Layar Indonesia (GISLI), whose on-the-ground safety campaigns and community-led training set an example for effective local action with international resonance. GISLI’s leadership, represented by R Ahmad Anggi Hakim, helped shape the event’s agenda and promote practical solutions to long-standing safety and fairness gaps.
A Vision for the Future:
The parties’ collective vision is clear: every fisher deserves dignity, safety, and opportunity—no matter where they come from or work. The assembled stakeholders pledged to drive policy reform, industry practice, and commitment to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, especially those addressing decent work (SDG 8) and healthy oceans (SDG 14).
For additional information, interviews, or expert commentary on the Bali Declaration and the future of global fisheries:
Contact: Fish Platform
Cor Blonk
Chair, FISH Platform
R Ahmad Anggi Hakim
contact@gisli.org