IN BRIEF - MSC responds to allegations of forced labour on certified tuna vessels
UNITED STATES
Friday, September 06, 2024
The MSC ecolabel has responded to accusations of forced labour on certain certified tuna vessels, according to research published on 3 September, which accused it of allowing cases of forced labour, particularly on certified tuna vessels. For its part, MSC rejects these accusations.
In her report published in Nature, entitled “Does tuna ecolabelling do more harm than good for fishermen?”, researcher Katrina Nakamura reveals shortcomings in the MSC’s self-declaration procedures regarding labour on some of the 3,327 tuna vessels certified by the MSC, the world’s most recognised ecolabel for sustainable seafood.
The incriminated vessels are also the subject of an investigation by the International Transport Federation (ITF) inspectorate, which has identified serious abuses ranging from lack of pay, forced labour and untreated workplace injuries. The Taiwanese purse seiner Win Far 636, for example, is the subject of an investigation following the death of an observer who had reported harassment and threats. Other vessels, the Charlotte M, the Svetlana M, the Natalia Victoria, the Dayna S and the Viki K, all registered in the United States, were reported to be in the process of being investigated.
ABANCA has renewed its collaboration agreements with the OP ANACEF Professional Fishermen's Organization and the Port and Ría de Marín Fishing Producers' Organization (OPROMAR), reaffirming its commitment to the entire maritime value chain.
The signing ceremony, held in Marín, was attended by José Luis Ramírez (ABANCA), Francisco Freire Lino (OP ANACEF), Claudino González (OPROMAR), and Javier Fraga (ABANCA Mar). The meeting served to map out a joint roadmap to tackle challenges such as rising costs, the lack of generational renewal, and the current geopolitical situation.
Sustainability is the core focus of the agreement. Through ABANCA Mar (a specialized unit active since 2016), the bank offers a tailored product catalog where credit takes center stage. A key highlight is the naval mortgage, designed to upgrade the fleet with more efficient vessels.
These comprehensive solutions—including credit lines, loans, and advanced sustainable subsidy payouts—will benefit 18 freezer trawlers from OP ANACEF and 30 fishing companies from OPROMAR.
Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM) has announced the opening of a new support scheme aimed at assisting owners of registered fishing and aquaculture vessels in managing rising fuel costs.
Application Timeline
The scheme officially opened for applications on 21 May 2026. Interested applicants have a limited window to apply, as submissions will close at 5:00pm on 12 June 2026. BIM has advised that late applications will not be accepted, urging eligible vessel owners to submit their applications in advance of the deadline.
Further details on eligibility criteria and application processes are available here. Vessel owners are encouraged to review the requirements carefully and apply within the specified timeframe.
According to data compiled by the Miyagi Prefecture Fisheries Co-operative, market values for farmed coho salmon (gin-zake) are currently facing a downward trend. As of May 20, average cumulative prices have dropped by 8%, hitting a low of $5.11 per kilogram (812 Yen).
The recent figures show a clear decline compared to the much higher price ranges recorded during the exact same period in the previous year. Landings are still progressing across key distribution hubs, with the underlying data originating from the combined market locations of Onagawa, Ishinomaki markets, and the Shizugawa operations office.
Industry experts note that all listed unit prices are calculated excluding consumption tax. Despite steady shifting market values, overall aquaculture revenues in Miyagi Prefecture are experiencing pressure due to this ongoing price slump.
At the 33rd annual meeting in Vancouver, Canada, Vladimir Belyaev, Advisor to the Director of the Russian Research Institute of Fisheries and Oceanography (VNIRO), was elected President of the North Pacific Anadromous Fish Commission (NPAFC). This appointment underscores the authority of Russian fisheries science and strengthens the country's role in managing transboundary marine resources.
The NPAFC, comprising five member countries, has established critical objectives for the upcoming term. Key priorities include tracking the migration, abundance, and survival of Pacific salmon. Following below-average catch volumes in 2025, the commission will focus on developing data-driven recommendations to protect vulnerable populations. Additionally, member states will coordinate strict measures to combat illegal fishing across the high seas.
"Conserving salmon stocks cannot tolerate disunity," stated Belyaev. "Sustainability depends on honest cooperation to forecast population dynamics and ensure protection in the convention area."
The measure, approved under the new temporary framework for the Middle East crisis, will cover costs for April and May 2026 and will be open until the end of the year.
The European Commission has approved a French state aid scheme worth €13 million for fishing companies affected by rising fuel prices resulting from the crisis in the Middle East. The decision falls under the temporary state aid mechanism adopted by Brussels on April 29, 2026.
According to information released by the Commission, the French program will cover costs corresponding to April and May 2026 and can be implemented until December 31 of this year.
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The incriminated vessels are also the subject of an investigation by the International Transport Federation (ITF) inspectorate, which has identified serious abuses ranging from lack of pay, forced labour and untreated workplace injuries. The Taiwanese purse seiner Win Far 636, for example, is the subject of an investigation following the death of an observer who had reported harassment and threats. Other vessels, the Charlotte M, the Svetlana M, the Natalia Victoria, the Dayna S and the Viki K, all registered in the United States, were reported to be in the process of being investigated.
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REPUBLIC OF IRELAND
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RUSSIAN FEDERATION
FRANCE
The measure, approved under the new temporary framework for the Middle East crisis, will cover costs for April and May 2026 and will be open until the end of the year.
