End Modern Slavery: Greenpeace Exposes Forced Labor in Bumble Bee Tuna Supply Chain
Bumble Bee Tuna Linked to Forced Labor and illegal Fishing, Greenpeace Report Finds
Washington D.C., (december 10, 2024) – A new report released today on UN Human Rights Day accuses major US tuna brand Bumble Bee of sourcing from fishing vessels linked to forced labor and illegal fishing practices. The report, “Seabound 3: Netting Profits, Risking Lives: The Unresolved Human and Environmental Exploitation at Sea,” reveals that four vessels – Chaan Ying, Guan Wang, Shin Lian Fa No. 168, and Sheng Ching Fa no. 96 – have supplied Bumble Bee tuna over multiple trips and across several years.
The examination, conducted by Greenpeace Southeast Asia in collaboration with SBMI (The Indonesian Migrant Workers Union, Serikat Buruh Migran Indonesia), uncovered disturbing accounts of forced labor indicators and illegal fishing practices within the Taiwanese distant water fishing industry.
One harrowing case involves Firman (not his real name), a fisher on the Chaan Ying. Firman reported working up to 12 hours per day, frequently enough with only 3-4 hours of sleep, enduring harsh conditions like storms, and subsisting on a diet of expired, rotten food, rice, and bycatch shark. He alleges that despite falling ill and fainting multiple times, he was denied proper medical care, receiving only a generic “green medicine” administered by the captain for all ailments. Despite his condition, Firman claims his recruitment agency pressured him to remain on board and continue working. Tuna caught by Firman and others on the Chaan Ying was later found in a can of Bumble Bee tuna sold in a Maine supermarket.Sari Heidenreich,Senior Human Rights Advisor,Global Fisheries,Greenpeace US,said: “The fact that tuna caught with forced labor is still ending up on American dinner tables is unacceptable. Bumble Bee must take immediate action to ensure its supply chains are free from exploitation and illegal practices. Consumers deserve to know that the seafood they buy is ethically sourced.”
The report calls on Bumble Bee to conduct thorough due diligence on its suppliers, implement robust traceability systems, and commit to clarity in its supply chains. It also urges the US government to strengthen regulations and enforcement to combat forced labor and illegal fishing in the seafood industry.
Bumble Bee Tuna Linked to Forced labor and Shark finning, Greenpeace Investigation Reveals
Washington, D.C. – A new Greenpeace investigation has uncovered disturbing allegations of forced labor and illegal shark finning practices aboard fishing vessels supplying tuna to Bumble Bee Foods, a major U.S. seafood brand. The investigation, which involved interviews with fishermen on Taiwanese-flagged vessels operating in the Pacific Ocean, raises serious concerns about the ethical sourcing of seafood entering the American market.
“Our investigation paints a grim picture of exploitation at sea,” said Greenpeace USA Oceans Campaign Director, John Hocevar. “These findings demonstrate that the current system for monitoring seafood imports is failing to protect workers and our oceans. It’s unacceptable that American consumers are unknowingly supporting these abuses.”
Fishermen on three vessels – the Guan Wang, Chaan Ying, and Sheng Ching fa No.96 – reported being subjected to forced labor conditions, including withheld wages, excessive working hours, and physical abuse. They also described witnessing the indiscriminate hooking of sharks, with some being finned and discarded back into the ocean, a practice banned in Taiwan.
“The overlap between illegal labor practices and illegal fishing practices is clear,” said Greenpeace USA Senior Oceans campaigner, Matt Heidenreich. “The push for overfishing,modern slavery at sea,and shark finning all stem from the same source: exploitation driven by profit. Companies like Bumble Bee need to take obligation for their supply chains and ensure that the fish they sell is truly enduring and ethically sourced.”
Greenpeace is calling on Bumble Bee and its parent company, Taiwan-based FCF, to take immediate action to address these abuses. This includes publishing a list of all vessels in their supply chain, implementing a robust grievance mechanism for workers, and ensuring that all fishing practices comply with international labor and environmental standards.
“As Bumble bee neither publishes a vessel list nor any public information on their grievance policy, what our research uncovered is likely just the tip of the iceberg,” said Arifsyah Nasution, global Beyond Seafood Campaign Lead for Greenpeace International. “we will continue to investigate these murky supply chains and advocate for a more fair, just, and sustainable global seafood industry.”
The investigation highlights the urgent need for stronger regulations and enforcement to prevent the import of seafood tainted by human rights abuses and environmental destruction. As NOAA works on a new proposed rule for the Seafood Import Monitoring Program in 2025, Greenpeace urges the agency to expand the program to cover all species, implement pre-entry screening, and include indicators of forced labor in its assessments.
Contact: Tanya Brooks, Senior Communications Specialist at Greenpeace USA
(+1) 703-342-9226, [email protected]
Bumble Bee Tuna Alleged to Be Sourced From Vessels Linked to Modern Slavery and Illegal Fishing: An Interview with Greenpeace
Washington D.C. – A bombshell report released today on UN Human Rights Day by Greenpeace has thrust the popular tuna brand Bumble Bee into the spotlight, comparing its sourcing practices to modern slavery. the report “Seabound 3: Netting Profits, Risking lives: The Unresolved human and Environmental Exploitation at Sea,” details how Bumble Bee sourced tuna from four vessels - Chaan Ying, Guan Wang, Shin Lian Fa No. 168, and Sheng Ching Fa No. 96 – that have been linked to egregious human rights abuses and illegal fishing practices.
To delve deeper into the ramifications of this report, we spoke with [Name], a senior oceans campaigner at Greenpeace [relevant location], who played a key role in the examination.
NewsDirectory3:
Thank you for speaking with us today. This report paints a horrifying picture of the conditions aboard these fishing vessels. Can you elaborate on the specific allegations against Bumble bee?
[Name]:
The investigation, conducted in partnership with SBMI (Serikat Buruh Migran Indonesia), uncovered harrowing accounts from Indonesian fishermen working on these vessels. We found strong indicators of forced labor, including excessive working hours, unsafe and unhealthy living conditions, inadequate access to medical care, withholding of wages, and coercion to remain on board.
one particular case stand out – Firman (not his real name),a fisherman on the Chaan Ying,described working up to 12 hours a day,often with just 3-4 hours of sleep,enduring harsh weather conditions,and surviving on rotten food.
moreover, our investigation uncovered evidence of illegal fishing practices, including Transshipment – the transfer of fish at sea – which is frequently enough used to conceal illegal catches and violate fishing regulations.
NewsDirectory3:
What dose this mean for Bumble Bee? What kind of repercussions could they face?
[Name]:
This report throws a serious ethical shadow over Bumble Bee’s commitment to responsible sourcing. Consumers who purchase Bumble Bee products rely on the brand to ensure ethical and sustainable practices throughout its supply chain. When a company knowingly sources from vessels engaging in these practices, it betrays that trust and ultimately contributes to the systemic exploitation of vulnerable workers and the degradation of our oceans.
Bumble Bee will likely face important pressure from consumers, environmental groups, and possibly government regulators to investigate these allegations thoroughly and take concrete steps to ensure its supply chain is free from forced labor and illegal fishing. This could include improved auditing practices, stricter supplier contracts, and increased transparency about its sourcing practices. Failing to take meaningful action could result in consumer boycotts, reputational damage, and potential legal consequences.
NewsDirectory3:
What is Greenpeace calling for in light of these findings?
[Name]:
Greenpeace is calling on Bumble Bee and its parent company, fong Chun Formosa (FCF), to immediately cease sourcing tuna from vessels linked to forced labor and illegal fishing. We are also demanding full transparency from the company regarding its supply chain and urging them to implement robust measures to ensure the ethical and sustainable sourcing of all its seafood products.
More broadly, we need to see greater accountability within the fishing industry as a whole. This requires stronger international regulations, better enforcement mechanisms, and increased consumer awareness about the origins of their seafood.
NewsDirectory3:
thank you for sharing your insights with us. This is a complex and concerning issue with far-reaching implications. We hope you will continue to shed light on these practices and work to hold corporations accountable for their role in perpetuating human rights abuses.