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Thailand’s seafood industry was in recent years blighted by uncontrolled growth across its fishing sector resulting in rampant illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing as well as violent associated human rights abuses including physical and verbal abuse and even murder. The decision in 2014 by the European Commission in April 2015 to issue a ‘yellow card’ against Thailand’s seafood exports to the European Union was one of several wakeup calls to introduce long overdue reforms. Significant progress has since been made to regain trust and shed a notorious image of a sector steeped in flagrant regulatory and labour abuses, however, much more remains to be done to become a truly sustainable, legal and ethical sector.

The National Fisheries Association of Thailand is seeking to abolish several critical fisheries enforcement regulations that are essential in Thailand’s fight against illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing and associated human rights abuse on fishing vessels. This open letter to the Thai Prime Minister, signed by 37 organisations, calls on the Royal Thai Government, Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, Department of Fisheries, and Ministry of Labour to reject these demands and instead ensure the preservation and elevation of internationally recognised best practices in both fisheries and labour regulations.

While Thailand has been making progress in its efforts to eradicate illegal fishing and human rights abuse, issues remain. This updated briefing outlines these issues and presents recommendations to address them.

The Royal Thai Government has continued to make considerable progress in addressing and eliminating illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing and associated human rights abuses. EJF staff are also now actively engaging with numerous government agencies and special inspection teams across the country.

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.

Between January and December 2018, EJF used DNA testing to determine levels of seafood fraud in the Republic of Korea. The results showed that over a third of samples tested were mislabelled. This mislabelling defrauds consumers, risks public health, harms the marine environment and can be associated with serious human rights abuses across the world. These findings demonstrate the urgent need for greater transparency and traceability in Korean seafood.

Between January and December 2018, EJF used DNA testing to determine levels of seafood fraud in the Republic of Korea. The results showed that over a third of samples tested were mislabelled. This mislabelling defrauds consumers, risks public health, harms the marine environment and can be associated with serious human rights abuses across the world. These findings demonstrate the urgent need for greater transparency and traceability in Korean seafood.