Reports
Illegal fishing and human rights abuses in the Taiwanese fishing fleet
Published:
This briefing details the EJF investigation which uncovered shockingly cruel and illegal practices on Taiwan-linked fishing vessels, including harpooning dolphins, finning and discarding tens of thousands of sharks, and catching vulnerable species of sea turtles and hammerheads. Nor were the vessels free of the human rights abuses previous EJF investigations have revealed in the fleet.
This briefing details the EJF investigation which uncovered shockingly cruel and illegal practices on Taiwanese fishing vessels, including harpooning dolphins, finning and discarding tens of thousands of sharks, and catching vulnerable species of sea turtles and hammerheads. Nor were the vessels free of the same human rights abuses previous EJF investigations have revealed in the fleet.
Thailand leads Asia by ratifying international standards for decent work in fisheries
Published: 2018-08-22
Thailand is set become the first country in Asia to ratify the Work in Fishing Convention C188, which sets basic standards of decent work in the fishing industry.
Thailand is set become the first country in Asia to ratify the Work in Fishing Convention C188, which sets basic standards of decent work in the fishing industry. Despite obstructive tactics and attempts to derail the process by some sections of the fisheries industry, Thailand’s National Legislative Assembly voted today to ratify the convention. Without further opposition it should be in place January next year.
Published: 23 Nov 2018
The ten principles for global transparency: Transparency in the fishing industry is the best weapon we have against the twin tragedies of illegal fishing and human rights abuse in the sector. EJF has collated ten simple principles for states to follow.
Transparency in the fishing industry is the best weapon we have against the twin tragedies of illegal fishing and human rights abuse in the sector. EJF has collated ten simple principles for states to follow.
Published: 23 Oct 2018
Out of the shadows: Improving transparency in global fisheries to stop illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing: This report lays out the ‘ten principles for global transparency in the fishing industry’. These simple, low-cost measures – which include publishing license lists and giving vessels unique numbers – are well within the reach of any country and can play a pivotal role in the battle against illegal fishing and human rights abuse in the sector.
EJF’s report shows that the global fishing industry suffers from a shocking lack of transparency, allowing Illegal operators to create as much confusion as possible around their identities; escaping detection by changing vessel names; concealing ownership; flying different flags to avoid detection; or removing ships from registers entirely. This report lays out the ‘ten principles for global transparency in the fishing industry’. These simple, low-cost measures – which include publishing license lists and giving vessels unique numbers – are well within the reach of any country and can play a pivotal role in the battle against illegal fishing and human rights abuse in the sector.
Published: 23 Oct 2018
Protecting the guardians of our seas: Recommendations for a national plan of action for Liberia’s sharks and rays: Loss of sharks can lead to dramatic imbalances in marine ecosystems. This is particularly significant in Liberia, where 33,000 people rely on the fishing industry for their livelihoods, and 65% of all animal protein eaten comes from seafood.
Loss of sharks can lead to dramatic imbalances in marine ecosystems. This is particularly significant in Liberia, where 33,000 people rely on the fishing industry for their livelihoods, and 65% of all animal protein eaten comes from seafood. This report lays out the argument for a Liberian national plan of action for the protection of sharks and rays.
Published: 11 Oct 2018
Chinas versteckte Flotte in Westafrika: Illegale Praktiken in Ghanas industrieller Fischerei: Zusammenfassung & Empfehlungen des EJF-Berichts, der zeigt, dass die industrielle Fischereiflotte Ghanas durch chinesische Eigentümerstrukturen geprägt ist. Da die Fischerei in Ghana stark unter der illegalen Fischerei leidet, müssen die ghanaische und die chinesische Regierung zusammenarbeiten für legale und nachhaltige Fischereiaktivitäten.
Untersuchungen der Environmental Justice Foundation (EJF) haben ergeben, dass rund 90 % der industriellen Fischereiflotte Ghanas Verbindungen zu Eigentümern in China aufweist. Ghanas Gesetze verbieten jedoch ausländische Beteiligungen oder Kontrolle von Schiffen unter ghanaischer Flagge. Die Regierungen Chinas und Ghanas müssen nun zusammenarbeiten: um die weit verbreiteten illegalen Fischereipraktiken in Ghanas industrieller Fangflotte zu unterbinden; für mehr Transparenz; und um Auflagen gegen jene zu verhängen, die die Gesetze zu Eigentumsverhältnissen missachten. Deutsche Zusammenfassung und Empfehlungen basierend auf dem englischen Bericht.
Published: 11 Oct 2018
China’s hidden fleet in West Africa: a spotlight on illegal practices within Ghana’s industrial trawl sector: Around 90% of Ghana’s industrial fishing fleet is linked to Chinese ownership, despite the fact that Ghana’s laws clearly forbid any foreign ownership or control of vessels flying its flag. The Chinese and Ghanaian governments must now work together to eradicate the illegal fishing practices.
Published: 10 Oct 2018
Briefing: China’s hidden fleet in West Africa - a spotlight on illegal practices within Ghana’s industrial trawl sector: Around 90% of Ghana’s industrial fishing fleet is linked to Chinese ownership, despite the fact that Ghana’s laws clearly forbid any foreign ownership or control of vessels flying its flag. The Chinese and Ghanaian governments must now work together to eradicate the illegal fishing practices.
Published: 28 Sep 2018
Joint Civil Society Statement concerning Implementation of the Protocol of 2014 to the Forced Labour Convention - Thai: The Royal Thai Government (RTG) is aiming to bring Thai legislation in line with international standards. The coalition applauds the RTG for this progress but reiterate much more still needs to be done.
The Royal Thai Government (RTG) is aiming to bring Thai legislation in line with international standards. The coalition applauds the RTG for this progress but reiterate much more still needs to be done. We urge the RTG to consider two crucial aspects in the next steps. First, the definition of forced labour must be harmonised. Second, forced labour must be designated as a stand-alone criminal offence.
Published: 28 Sep 2018
Joint Civil Society Statement concerning Implementation of the Protocol of 2014 to the Forced Labour Convention - English: The Royal Thai Government (RTG) is aiming to bring Thai legislation in line with international standards. The coalition applauds the RTG for this progress but reiterate much more still needs to be done.
The Royal Thai Government (RTG) is aiming to bring Thai legislation in line with international standards. The coalition applauds the RTG for this progress but reiterate much more still needs to be done. We urge the RTG to consider two crucial aspects in the next steps. First, the definition of forced labour must be harmonised. Second, forced labour must be designated as a stand-alone criminal offence.