Safety at sea relates to the ability of a vessel to return to port at the completion of a voyage or trip. It is not a new concept, as even well-designed vessels can suffer an accident at sea. This document is a global review of safety at sea in the fisheries sector, with a particular focus on the small-scale fisheries sector in developing countries. Among other relevant safety issues, it considers existing legislation, fisheries management measures and data recording. The information presented has been obtained from studies and workshops organized by FAO and other institutions, as well as country-related information, legislation and statistics.