The Hidden Suffering Behind Your Seafood: Modern Day Slavery on Fishing Vessels

As the sun dips below the horizon, casting a golden glow over the bustling harbor, a sense of anticipation fills the air.

In a high-end restaurant, diners eagerly await their seafood delicacies, oblivious to the dark reality behind their meal.

Across the ocean, on distant water fishing vessels, Indonesian migrant fishers endure unimaginable hardships, their stories often hidden beneath the waves.

In recent years, the plight of these fishers has come to light through harrowing documentaries like "Before You Eat," which exposes the grim truth behind the seafood industry.

This film uncovers the physical violence, long working hours, inadequate food, untreated illnesses, and even death that many crew members face. Shockingly, some of these abuses are recorded by the fishers themselves, using their mobile phones to document their suffering and struggles.

The Dark Reality of Modern-Day Slavery

Modern-day slavery on fishing vessels is a pervasive issue, with Indonesian fishers being among the most affected.

These workers are often lured by the promise of good wages and a better life, only to find themselves trapped in a cycle of exploitation.

Recruitment agencies employ deceptive tactics, offering unclear work contracts and providing little to no support once the fishers are on board.

The statistics are staggering. According to a report by Greenpeace, up to 30% of the global fishing workforce may be subjected to forced labor .

Another study by the International Labour Organization (ILO) revealed that nearly 25 million people worldwide are victims of forced labor, with a significant number working in the fishing industry.

The True Cost of Seafood

Despite decades of research, investigations, and damning reports, the seafood industry continues to commit fisheries crimes. Illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing practices not only deplete marine life but also perpetuate human rights abuses.

The seafood products resulting from these unethical practices often end up on supermarket shelves and in restaurants, far removed from the suffering endured by the fishers.

Hopefully, after watching "Before You Eat," viewers will be left questioning the origins of their seafood.

The film highlights how overfishing and the capture of protected species contribute to the broader issue of modern-day slavery.

The chaotic process of sending labor, from recruitment to the high seas, reveals the systemic failures that allow these practices to persist.

Gebirah: Advocating for Change

In response to these injustices, Gebirah, a Singapore-based humanitarian organization, has stepped up to support the victims of modern-day slavery in the fishing industry.

Besides providing vital assistance to rebuild their lives, Gebirah is raising awareness and advocating for policy changes with the aim of ending these inhumane practices and ensure a fair and just seafood industry.

A Call to Action

It's easy to feel powerless in the face of such a vast and complex issue, but change starts with awareness and action.

As consumers, we can make a difference by being mindful of where our seafood comes from and supporting sustainable, ethical practices.

Look for locally sourced fish and seafood and consider the human cost behind the products you buy.

Governments and corporations also have a crucial role to play. Stronger regulations and enforcement are needed to hold perpetrators accountable and protect the rights of fishers.

NGOs and humanitarian organizations like Gebirah are already making strides, but we need your support to continue this vital work.

Conclusion

The next time you sit down to enjoy a seafood meal, remember the untold stories of suffering that may be behind it.

By choosing to support ethical practices and demanding transparency from the seafood industry, we can help end modern-day slavery on fishing vessels.

Gebirah invites partners, collaborators, and volunteers to join us in this mission. Together, we can make a difference and bring justice to those who have endured so much.

Join the movement to protect our oceans and the people who work in them.

Let's ensure that every meal we enjoy is free from the taint of exploitation.

References:

Greenpeace. (2021). Forced Labour in the Seafood Industry.

International Labour Organization. (2017). Global Estimates of Modern Slavery: Forced Labour and Forced Marriage.