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Fishermen's Competency Certificates Convention, 1966 (No. 125) - France (RATIFICATION: 1970)

The Committee notes the Government’s indication in its report that the Department of Maritime Affairs has undertaken a significant reform of maritime vocational training since 2012 in order to take into account the relevant international instruments, and particularly the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Fishing Vessel Personnel, 1995 (STCW-F). Decree No. 2015-723 of 24 June 2015 on maritime vocational training certificates and the conditions for the exercise of functions on board commercial, pleasure, fishing and mariculture vessels, adopted within the framework of the reform, has allowed the level of training required on board fishing vessels to be brought closer in a number of respects to that of commercial and pleasure vessels.

Article 5(5) of the Convention. Derogations. The Committee previously requested the Government to provide information on any further measures taken to reduce the number of derogations from the requirements respecting fishers’ competency certificates. The Committee notes the Government’s indication that Decree No. 2015-723 of 24 June 2015 sets out the conditions for the granting of derogations, by interregional shipping directors, from the conditions for maritime vocational qualifications for officers on a fishing vessel. The Government adds that the regulations for the granting of derogations have been made stricter, as the requirements set out in the STCW-F, which is much stricter than the former rules, have been taken into account. The Decree only permits such derogations in cases of extreme necessity for a period not exceeding six months for an officer, and only if the person concerned has the required certification for the officer position immediately below. The Committee notes this information.