| Although the rate has been steadily decreasing over the last 20 years, the U.S. commercial fishing industry has one of the highest fatality rates in the country. In addition, the rate of fatalities slowly fell until 2002 at which point it leveled off. After reviewing Coast Guard data and numerous scholarly articles, it was found that the most prevalent causal factors of a vessel casualty were flooding and fire. The single most common cause of a fatality was exposure to water. Other proximal factors hampering the prevention of these accidents could be placed in three categories: (1) government regulations; (2) industry resistance; and (3) fishermen attitudes and beliefs. In order to discuss these factors, this study presents background information on the agencies that impact the fishing industry. Statistical data and scholarly articles are used to assess the fatality and vessel loss rates and causal factors. Other items like fisheries management, fishermen attitudes, and risk are also discussed. |
