Distant water fishing fleets registered with the South Pacific Regional Fisheries Management Organization (SPRFMO) are exploiting and abusing fishers, a new report from the ITF reveals.
While the SPRFMO, which oversees the management of key fisheries such as jack mackerel and jumbo squid, has made significant progress in conservation and stock management, urgent gaps remain in terms of social and labour protections.
Human trafficking, forced labour and other rights violations are taking place onboard fishing vessels in South America, the ITF report finds.
Between 2013 and 2023, 66 crew members from 59 vessels registered with the SPRFMO, were received deceased at regional ports or went missing after falling into the sea. This equates to roughly one death every two months. The deaths were often unexplained: of the 55, 17 were from unknown causes.
Abuses can continue for years on end, due to the long periods that fishing vessels remain at sea. One vessel where a crew member had died carried on fishing for seven months while the body of the fisher remained onboard.
Using case studies, the ITF report highlights the urgent need for coordinated inspections among SPRFMO member states to enforce labour protections. Standardised inspections would help ensure all vessels meet basic working and safety conditions, reducing the risk of exploitation.
“The SPRFMO must adopt minimum social standards to protect workers and ensure fair and sustainable fishing practices,” said Chris Williams, ITF Fisheries Section Coordinator.
“The SPRFMO has an opportunity to develop conservation and management measures that protect workers, ensure their rights are respected and that urgent medical support is provided when needed,” added Williams.
SPRFMO must urgently implement risk-based assessments that evaluate a vessel or company’s compliance history. By prioritising inspections and enforcement efforts based on past violations, authorities can target high-risk fleets and deter criminal behaviour.
As the SPRFMO continues to refine its conservation and strategies, adopting a minimum social standard will reinforce its commitment to ethical and sustainable fishing.
“By strengthening inspections, cooperation, and risk assessments, the SPRFMO working closely with member states, can protect both marine resources and the workers bringing seafood to our plates.
“But without international collaboration, unscrupulous companies will continue to exploit regulatory loopholes and gaps with serious consequences for workers, as this report demonstrates" said Williams.
