The Cape Town Agreement defines minimum requirements on the design, construction and equipment of fishing vessels. It also includes details for the inspection of fishing vessels, as well as mandatory requirements for
ship stability,
seaworthiness,
life-saving appliances,
fire safety, ventilation and communication equipment. The regulations are designed to protect the safety of fishing vessel crews and to establish a common standard for the industry. The Agreement is designed to reduce the high number of deaths in the international fishing industry. The Cape Town Agreement will updated, amend and replace the Torremolinos Protocol of 1993 and the Torremolinos International Convention for the Safety of Fishing Vessels of 1977. The Agreement allows a
flag State to exempt any fishing vessels flying its flag from compliance, provided that a certain set of minimum criteria are applicable. ==References==