The introduction of new medical certification requirements has sparked frustration among UK fishermen, who argue that the rules may force some individuals to lose up to a quarter of their weight by November or lose out on work.
By the end of November 2023, anyone working on a UK fishing vessel must have a certificate of medical fitness.
However, the doctor-approved certificate, which asks patients to declare whether they have a body mass index (BMI) above 35 (pdf), has angered some in the fishing industry as “a complete nightmare.”
Others say that there is no evidence that any accidents have been caused by a fisherman being overweight….