The 32nd session of the COFI (the Committee on Fisheries of the Food and Agricultural Organisation- FAO) took place in Rome from 11 until 15 July 2016. The EU-level social partners in fisheries, ETF and Europêche, took this opportunity to submit a declaration to raise awareness amongst FAO members on the need to act to promote decent work and safety of life and property at sea. Social partners see international instruments such as the ILO Work in Fishing Convention (C188) as essential in achieving this.