Boots to Boost Justice: Indonesian Migrant Fishers Solidarity
Boots to Boost Justice: Demanding fair Treatment for migrant Fishers
The Hidden Cost of Our Seafood: Exploitation at Sea
The seafood we enjoy on our plates often comes with a hidden cost - the exploitation of migrant fishers who endure grueling conditions and human rights abuses. From the vast industrial fleets of Taiwan to the bustling fish markets of the United States, a complex global supply chain connects consumers to the often-unseen labour that brings seafood to our tables. greenpeace is shining a light on these injustices, calling for urgent action to protect the rights and well-being of these essential workers.
Critical Links in the Global seafood Chain
The journey of seafood from ocean to plate involves critical players across nations and industries. The governments of the United States, Indonesia, and Taiwan, along with numerous seafood and fishing companies, form the backbone of this multi-billion dollar global industry.
Indonesia: This archipelago nation is a source of thousands of migrant fishers who crew industrial fishing vessels. These individuals often leave their homes seeking better opportunities,only to face challenging and sometimes exploitative working environments.
Taiwan: Possessing the second-largest fleet of industrial fishing vessels globally, Taiwan plays a importent role in international fishing operations. The scale of its fleet means a considerable number of workers are involved in its operations.
United States: As the world’s largest importer of seafood by value in 2023, the US market exerts considerable influence over global fishing practices. Consumer demand in the US directly impacts the conditions faced by fishers worldwide.
The Fight for Justice: A Call to Action
While legal battles for justice continue for plaintiff fishers, the time for action is now. Companies within the seafood industry do not need to wait for court rulings to implement changes that protect both the oceans and the workers in their supply chains.Greenpeace emphasizes that key players throughout the supply chain have the power to drive a conversion towards a more sustainable and equitable future for fishers.
Concrete Steps Towards a Fairer Future
To combat exploitation and ensure better conditions at sea, Greenpeace advocates for several crucial measures that companies can implement instantly:
Ending isolation at Sea: Mandating free, accessible, and secure Wi-Fi on all vessels from which companies source their seafood is paramount. This allows fishers to stay connected with their families and the outside world,breaking the isolation that can enable abuse.
Limiting Time at Sea: Ensuring that fishers spend a maximum of three months at sea between port visits is vital for their physical and mental well-being. Extended periods at sea without shore leave can lead to exhaustion and increased vulnerability.
Ensuring Observer Coverage: implementing 100% observer coverage – whether through human observers or electronic monitoring systems – on all source vessels provides crucial oversight and accountability. This helps to deter and document illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing, as well as human rights abuses.
Stand with migrant Fishers
The exploitation of migrant fishers is a critical issue that demands our attention and action. By supporting these calls for change, we can definitely help ensure that the seafood we consume is not tainted by human rights abuses.
Stand with migrant fishers and sign the petition today. Your voice can make a difference in the fight for justice and a more ethical seafood industry.
Vela Andapita and Elizabeth Monaghan are, respectively, global communications lead and global engagement lead for the Beyond Seafood project in Greenpeace Southeast Asia.