Those who work on fishing vessels often face extraordinary and unpredictable hazards, frequently working long hours in harsh conditions. The Work in Fishing Convention, 2007 (No.188), aims to ensure that these seafarers have decent conditions of work on board, including occupational safety and health protection, and medical care and social security. The Convention also provides that living and working conditions on fishing vessels may be inspected while such vessels are in foreign ports. Guidelines for port State control officers carrying out inspections under the Work in Fishing Convention, 2007 (No.188) is an important international resource for the implementation of these port State responsibilities and for the harmonization of inspections of foreign fishing vessels.

These guidelines include an overview of the features and key concepts of Convention No.188, outline the port State control responsibilities under this Convention and the guidance in its accompanying Recommendation No.199, and specify the professional profile and qualifications required of port State control officers. They examine all aspects of conducting port State inspections and address basic requirements, indicative sources of information and examples of non-conformities for specific inspection areas. The guidelines also cover the actions that may be taken by port State control officers when finding non-conformities with respect to the Convention.