Tide of injustice: exploitation and illegal fishing on Chinese vessels in the Southwest Indian Ocean
This report maps the presence and activities of the Chinese DWF in the Southwest Indian Ocean (SWIO), a region notable for its biodiversity-rich seascape, which is a lifeline to coastal communities across its shores. The findings of the report show that while couched in terms of win-win, sustainable development and collective benefits from the blue economy, the realities on board many vessels in China’s DWF are in direct contradiction of these stated aims.
This report maps the presence and activities of the Chinese DWF in the Southwest Indian Ocean (SWIO), a region notable for its biodiversity-rich seascape, which is a lifeline to coastal communities across its shores. The findings of the report show that while couched in terms of win-win, sustainable development and collective benefits from the blue economy, the realities on board many vessels in China’s DWF are in direct contradiction of these stated aims.
A manifesto for our ocean
Our ocean is the blue beating heart of our planet, but we are putting this irreplaceable ecosystem under extreme pressure. In this manifesto, we lay out a roadmap for the protection of the ocean, providing clear policy recommendations to save our seas and safeguard our future.
Our ocean is the blue beating heart of our planet, but we are putting this irreplaceable ecosystem under extreme pressure. In this manifesto, we lay out a roadmap for the protection of the ocean, providing clear policy recommendations to save our seas and safeguard our future.
Une vague d'injustice : Exploitation et pêche illégale par les navires chinois dans le sud-ouest de l’océan Indien: Ce rapport cartographie la présence et les activités de la flotte chinoise de pêche lointaine dans le sud-ouest de l’océan Indien (« SOOI »), une région remarquable pour son paysage marin riche en biodiversité, qui constitue une ressource vitale pour les communautés côtières sur l’ensemble de ses rivages. Les conclusions du rapport montrent que, bien que les relations qu’entretient la Chine avec ses partenaires régionaux soient formulées en termes de « gagnant-gagnant », de développement durable et de bénéfices partagés de l’économie bleue, les réalités à bord de nombreux navires de la flotte chinoise de pêche lointaine sont en contradiction directe avec ces objectifs déclarés.
Joint Statement: Call on the European Parliament to adopt the EU’s Regulation to prohibit forced labour products on the EU market: 76 undersigned civil society organisations, trade unions, investors, businesses, multi-stakeholders’ initiatives and industry bodies call on Members of the European Parliament to vote in favour of the EU’s Regulation to prohibit forced labour products on the EU market in the upcoming Plenary session.
Wimbi la udhalimu: Unyonyaji na uvuvi haramu wa meli za China Kusini Magharibi mwa bahari ya Hindi: Ripoti hii inaangazia uwepo wa shughuli za uvuvi unaofanywa na vyombo vya majini vya China (DWF) katika eneo la Kusini-Magharibi ya Bahari ya Hindi yaani (SWIO), ukanda unaotambulika kwa utajiri mkubwa wa mazao ya bahari, ambao ni muhimu katika maisha ya jamii.
Flut der Ungerechtigkeit: Ausbeutung und illegale Fischerei auf chinesischen Schiffen im südwestlichen Indischen Ozean: Dieser Bericht dokumentiert die Aktivitäten der chinesischen Hochseeflotte im südwestlichen Indischen Ozean (SWIO). Die Region ist besonders artenreich und sichert den Lebensunterhalt und die Nahrungsmittelversorgung zahlreicher Küstengemeinden. Die Ergebnisse des Berichts zeigen, dass das Ausmaß der kriminellen Aktivitäten der chinesischen Flotte in direktem Widerspruch zu Chinas Interesse an einer nachhaltigen Entwicklung der Region steht: Massive Investitionen in den Fischereisektor bedrohen nicht nur fragile marine Ökosysteme, sondern schaden auch der traditionellen handwerklichen Fischerei.
EJF Statement in response to the National Fisheries Association of Thailand (NFAT): The National Association of Thai Fisheries, a lobby group for the Thai fishing industry, recently published several claims about the possible roll-back of fisheries legislation in Thailand. This document summarises our responses.
Joint Statement: Call on EU governments to support the EU’s Regulation to prohibit forced labour products: 37 civil society organisations and trade unions from across Europe and beyond today call upon EU Member States to back the inter-institutional agreement reached earlier in March on the Regulation to prohibit products made from forced labour from entering the EU’s Single Market, ensuring new rules enter into force without delay.
Leveling the playing field: Assessing the impact of Village Savings and Loans Associations (VSLAs) in Liberia’s coastal communities: Women play an integral role in Liberia’s small-scale fisheries (SSF). However, the contribution women make to the sector is threatened by challenges that undermine their livelihood opportunities and limit their active participation in fisheries decision-making processes. The Village Savings and Loans Association (VSLA) scheme seeks to address these challenges and increase women’s participation in the governance and management of Liberia’s SSF sector. This report presents the findings of an evaluation of the impact of these VSLAs in their respective communities over a period of one year
Briefing to the Japanese government on concerns over seafood products associated with illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing and human trafficking entering the Japanese market: This briefing follows careful reviews of the current seafood import control system in Japan. It identifies five major legislative loopholes that should be addressed urgently – these loopholes are insufficient coverage of species, negligence in considering human rights, a lack of transparency, an absence of traceability and insufficient penalties when infractions are detected.
Zhejiang Ocean Family Co. Ltd and its fishy business: The Zhejiang Ocean Family Co., Ltd. (大洋世家(浙江)股份公司 / ZOF) is a leading fishery company in Chinese and global seafood supply chains. This investigation found that 12 vessels owned or chartered by ZOF or a ZOF subsidiary were systematically engaged in different forms of IUU fishing such as shark finning, intentionally killing cetaceans. Vessels were also implicated in a number of human rights abuses including physical abuse, salary deductions, human trafficking and forced labour.