Since 1977 a fishing industry safety and health committee has existed to promote safety in the fleet.   In 1992 WorkSafeBC coordinated an advisory committee made up of fishermen to work with them on the development of fishing regulations and to regularly advise on fishing safety.  The UFAWU has maintained a health and safety coordinator and the BC Professional Fish Harvestors work with the Canadian Council of Professional Fish Harvestors on their Safety Committee.  

In 2001, rising costs of fishing claims and the increasing number of incidents in the industry motivated the BC Seafood Alliance to develop a joint proposal with WCB to hire a fishing safety coordinator.  Over the next 2 years the safety coordinator compiled information on industry needs and created a website to provide information back to the industry on safety.  In 2004 a new safety coordinator was hired from the fishing industry and the concept for Fish Safe was developed.  Creating and branding fishing safety in BC allowed the industry to begin to take ownership of safety on board.  The WCB advisory committee evolved to become the Fish Safety Advisory Committee (link) to provide a forum for all involved in fishing safety (fishermen, naval architects, educators, government, etc) to meet on a regular basis and discuss and direct the Fishing Safety Coordinator on the development of programs an tools to assist fishermen.  Today Fish Safe is recognized internationally as a leader in creating a safety culture through education. 

“Make it Your Business” is the tag line Fish Safe uses to impart the need for safety to be incorporated into your everyday routine, whether you have a fleet of vessels or a family boat.  It also promotes the need for involvement from everyone connected to fishing whether government agency, naval architect, fishing association or vessel owner to do their part to improve fishing safety.