Occupational Medicine 2008;58:141–143

Published online 1 February 2008 doi:10.1093/occmed/kqm156

SHORT REPORT
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Occupational health in the Andalusian Fisheries

Sector

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José Novalbos1, Pedro Nogueroles2, Mila Soriguer3 and Francisco Piniella4
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Background The conditions of work in the fisheries sector are arduous with high rates of occupational accidents.
Numerous factors are known that can directly influence the health of the sailor or fisherman both in
fishing and merchant fleets.
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Aim To evaluate the health status, safety and working conditions in the Andalusian fishing sector.
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Methods Cross-sectional questionnaire study with proportional sampling of the health and lifestyles of fishery
workers in 19 of the 23 Andalusian ports.
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Results A total of 247 workers employed on 202 craft fishing boats responded. In all 87% of workers
reported a current medical condition. The main problems reported were musculoskeletal disorders,
respiratory diseases, diseases of the digestive system, eye problems and skin problems. A total of 72%
reported taking some self-prescribed medication, and 60% of fishery workers smoked. Nine per cent
of fishery workers admitted taking illicit drugs and 3% reported using illicit drugs on board. Diets on
board were poorly balanced. While on board, 62% of crews reported a subjective significant wors-
ening of previous health. The lifetime prevalence of accidents was 76%.
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Conclusions Fishery workers had a high prevalence of self-reported medical problems, a high prevalence of self-
medication, poor diets and frequently smoked. Self-medication and some medical conditions
(diabetes, angina and depression) may reflect a potential failing of health checks and pre-employment
checks. National health services and insurance companies dealing with occupational health should
focus more on appropriate health checks, illness prevention and health promotion activities for this
population.
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Key words Fishermen; occupational health; occupational safety; seafarers.
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Introduction
Previous studies have demonstrated that working condi-
tions in the fisheries sector are arduous, with industrial
accidents commonplace. Numerous factors can directly
influence the health of workers in fishing [1] and mer-
chant fleets [2]. This study is centred on surveying and
evaluating the health, safety and working conditions of
the fishing fleet of Andalusia.
1
Department of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Cadiz, Plaza
del Falla 9, 11003 Cádiz, Spain.
2
Department of Public Health, Faculty of Nautical Sciences, University of Cadiz,
CASEM, Campus Rio San Pedro, 11510 Puerto Real, Cadiz, Spain.
3
Department of Biology, Faculty of Sea Sciences, University of Cadiz, CASEM,
Campus Rio San Pedro, 11510 Puerto Real, Cadiz, Spain.
4
Department of Maritime Studies, Faculty of Nautical Sciences, University of
Cadiz, CASEM, Campus Rio San Pedro, 11510 Puerto Real, Cadiz, Spain.
Correspondence to: Francisco Piniella, Department of Maritime Studies, Faculty
of Nautical Sciences, University of Cadiz, CASEM, Campus Rio San Pedro,
11510 Puerto Real, Cadiz, Spain. Tel: 1 34 956 016144; fax: 134 956 016039;
e-mail: francisco.piniella@uca.es
Methods
A cross-sectional study was performed with a question-
naire on health, working conditions and lifestyles (50
items) on a sample of Andalusian fishing fleet employees
out of a total population of 9419 workers. Within
this population, four different fishing techniques were
used by the workers surveyed. These techniques were
bottom trawling (towing trawl nets along the sea
floor), small-scale gear fishing (fishing using multi-
purpose vessels including fixed traps or pots), net vessel
fishing (large weights attached to vertical nets) and long-
liner fishing (fishing using multiple lines at once). Addi-
tional questions about accidents and injuries were also
asked.
Results
A total of 247 workers employed on 202 fishing boats
(representing 10% of the 2027 boats recorded by census)
responded to the questionnaire. The mean age of

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142 OCCUPATIONAL MEDICINE

the population surveyed was 40.3 years (SD 11.5) with
no variations in relation to the type of fishing tech-
nique employed. The average working experience of
the population was 24.4 years (SD 13.3). Skippers
had 6.6 years more experience than deckhands. In 32%
of cases, fishing was a second job after agriculture or
construction.
In all 87% of the population reported current medical
had higher levels of carbohydrate intake. High levels of
protein intake were observed in the crews of netters and
trawlers. A total of 60% of those surveyed smoked, with
nearly one-third smoking an average of .30 cigarettes
per day. Alcohol consumptions differed greatly when
comparing alcohol intake between on shore levels and
at sea levels. The average alcohol intake in fishery
workers when on shore was 19 g/day. A total of 30% of

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conditions. The main problems reported were musculo-
skeletal disorders, respiratory diseases, diseases of the di-
gestive system and eye problems (Table 1). No significant
differences were found between reported medical condi-
tions and type of fishing technique employed.
In all 25% of fishery workers reported sensitive skin
and 54% sun-related skin injuries. Hearing problems
were reported by 6%. Problems of carbohydrate intoler-
ance or non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus were
reported in 6%. Two per cent of workers reported med-
ical conditions considered incompatible with working at
sea (insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus or IDDM, an-
gina and depression).
Self-medication was common, reported by 72% of
fishery workers. The commonest drugs taken were anal-
gesics and anti-inflammatory medication (taken by 55%
of workers), followed by antacids, anti-catarrh medicines
and anxiolytics.
With reference to lifestyle, most workers reported ex-
cessive calorie consumption while on shore, notably high
in animal fats and accompanied by moderate–high alco-
hol consumption. While at sea, workers reported an av-
erage calorie intake of 1800 kcal. Calorie intake was
higher on smaller and multipurpose vessels. On many
vessels, food was limited to coffee, sandwiches and occa-
sionally fruit on board. Younger people on smaller boats
workers reported drinking at sea with an average alcohol
intake of 8.5 g/day. A total of 9% of fishermen admitted
taking illicit drugs. A total of 6% reported regular use
(5–7 days/week) comprising mainly of cannabis use in
the younger population (,35 years). During the last
voyage, eight workers (3%) admitted to illicit drug use
on board.
While on board, 62% of fishery workers reported
a subjective significant worsening of previous health com-
plaints (especially on multipurpose vessels and long-
liners). A total of 76% reported having injuries on
board and 43% had taken sick leave following an acci-
dent. Trawlers and multipurpose vessels reported more
accidents (Table 2).
Discussion
As with studies conducted on other sectors of the fishing
industry [3], the most prevalent health problems found
in fisherman in this study were skin, eye, respiratory, di-
gestive and musculoskeletal conditions [4]. Analgesics,
anti-inflammatory drugs and antacids were commonly
self-prescribed.
Our study also found that fishermen were still going to
sea despite suffering from medical conditions incompat-

Table 2. Life time injuries at sea

Table 1. Prevalence of medical conditions and perception of wors-
ening of health Type of injuries Affected workers

Prevalence of medical conditions n Relative n Relative

frequency (%) frequency (%)

Skin complaints and sun-related skin injuries 135 54 Major injuries

Ophthalmologic and ocular problems 94 38 Man at sea—fall to sea 13 7
Musculoskeletal problems 72 29 Entrapping 23 12
Upper respiratory tract problems 35 14 Minor amputations 8 4
Low respiratory tract problems 42 17 Burns 5 3
Gastrointestinal conditions 25 10 Minor injuries
High blood pressure 25 10 Fall same level—drop same level 17 9
Diabetes mellitus and/or hyperglycemia 16 6 Fall different level—drop different level 1 1
Hearing problems 14 6 Blow with objects—blows objects 28 15
Kidney and urinary system 14 6 Blow with tools—blows tools 2 1
Heart and coronary disease 6 2 Blow with nets—blows fishing arts 4 2
Mental or nervous problems 6 2 Polycontusions 2 1
Sexual transmitted diseases 2 1 Puncture/baits—puncture fishhooks 44 23
Infectious diseases (other) 2 1 Cuts 23 12
Transient ischemic attack 1 0.4 Others 19 10
Others 27 11 Total 189 100
 J. NOVALBOS ET AL.: OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH IN ANDALUSIAN FISHERIES 143
ible with work at sea (i.e. IDDM, angina and depression).
This represents a potential serious failing of health sur-
veillance and pre-employment checks.
We also found that fishermen generally live unhealthy
lifestyles. Fishermen need more information on a healthy
lifestyle. While at sea, it has been estimated that fisher-
men require a high calorie intake of 2850–3000 kcal
although in our study we found an average calorie intake
of only 1800 kcal [5]. Insufficient calorie intake and
poor diet is a possible explanation for the gastrointestinal
symptoms reported and subsequent need for antacids.
Our study has shown a high level of smoking and alcohol
intake in the fisheries sector in Andalusia. Having said this,
the prevalence of smoking and level of alcohol intake seems
to be reducing, when we compare our results to previous
studies on a similar population [6]. In 1991, 67% con-
sumed .10 cigarettes/day, 15% reported drinking .50 g/
day and 9% admitted consuming drugs regularly (cannabis
62%). In previous studies regarding drug consumption in
Spain [7], ‘regular’ cannabis users accounted for 2.8–4.5%
while in our study, the figure was 6.5%.
Hearing problems were also common, reported by 6%
of the population surveyed. This could be linked to noise
exposures while at work; in this type of vessel, it was
found that an average noise level in the engine room
was from 95 to 105 dbA [8].
Working conditions at sea often make it difficult to
implement programmes in fishery workers that would
help the worker. However, there is a need for the intro-
duction of specific health and safety strategies in the fish-
ery sector. Injuries are often related to the type of fishing
vessel or process [6,9]. The risk from accidents [10]
seems to be higher in trawlers and longliners, signalling
the need for specific policies in these type of vessels.
Key points
• Dermatological lesions, bronchitis obstructive, di-
gestive problems and high consumptions of med-
icines and tobacco are all associated with fishing.
• The diet on board should be related to the diges-
tive illnesses and with work shifts.
• Health services of the insurance companies should
participate more in primary attention, illiness pre-
vention and health promotion activities for these
workers.
Based on our findings, we believe that occupational
health care policies for fishery workers in the future should
focus more on adequate health surveillance, first aid, illness
prevention and health promotion activities for workers.
Conflicts of interest
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None declared.
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