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This report shows that human rights abuse is rife in the fishing industry - detailing cases of slavery, debt bondage, insufficient food and water, filthy living conditions, physical and sexual assault and even murder aboard fishing vessels from 13 countries operating across three oceans.

Isabel's 12 crew from several West African countries were stranded in the Spanish port of Las Palmas where the vessel was detained by Spanish authorities for a number of safety and administrative infractions. The crew were forced to live on board the boat for five months with inadequate food and accommodation. The crew members received 300 euros in total, only 25% of their salary. On the return of Isabel to Côte d’Ivoire in January 2014, one of the crew drowned in an accident in port. There was no evidence that steps were being taken to maintain adequate health and safety standards on the boat at the time of the accident.The treatment of Isabel’s crew in Las Palmas demonstrates that cases of abuse in the fishing sector can happen anywhere in the world and are not issues isolated to fisheries in developing countries.

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.

The Far Dwuma Nkɔdo project is implemented by EJF and Hen Mpoano, with funding from the EU. The project aims to secure greater environmental sustainability and social equity in Ghana’s fisheries sector, by supporting efforts to reduce illegal fishing and building the capacity of fishing communities in the sustainable management of their resource.