Federal funds totaling $6 million have become available for fiscal year 2024 for commercial fishing safety research and training, with the first deadline for apply for funds being Jan. 30, 2024.
Currently, grantee training work includes a focus on training fishermen in safety measures, developing first aid and training materials, and community-based “train the trainer” efforts, with varying degrees of reach, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) said in a Nov. 7 announcement.
Research cooperative agreements include work in assessing the suite of electronics available for fishing vessels that could save lives when emergencies occur at sea, improving equipment to reduce musculoskeletal injuries and falls overboard, and looking into how sleep deprivation affects health and cognitive abilities.
Since commercial fishing is a high-risk occupation, research and training sessions could improve the health and safety of these workers, NIOSH said. Funding made available by the Coast Guard and administered by NIOSH will provide for research and training of qualified individuals in academia, members of non-profit organizations, municipalities and businesses.
Those interested in applying for funds can find detailed information on the NIOSH Commercial Fishing Occupational Safety Research and Training Program website, https://tinyurl.com/4mty2aph.