Supporting global efforts to promote decent work in fisheries
London, 29 November 2024. “Modern Slavery in the Fishing Industry” was an event organized by Dr Andrea Longo from the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) of the University of London in London, UK. Prominent academics and practitioners discussed contemporary critical challenges faced by the fisheries sector, specifically those related to the protection of fishers and the full enjoyment of their fundamental rights. The event was organized in two parts.
In the first part, Prof. Parosha Chandran (King’s College London) gave an overview of the evolving interpretation of the term “slavery” under international law, and the criminalization of human trafficking, based on court cases. Prof. Virgina Mantouvalou (University College London) raised the importance of providing special support to migrants who face specific challenges with visa requirements and who end up working illegally and are further criminalized. Prof. Irini Papanicolopulu (SOAS University of London) explained the key responsibilities of states in respect of the protection of people at sea, pursuant to the Law of the Sea regime.
In the second part, the Development Law Service (LEGN) participated in a roundtable discussion. This offered a useful opportunity to explain FAO’s role in global fisheries governance and to discuss the interpretations of “illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing”. LEGN stressed that Paragraph 3 of the International Plan of Action to prevent, deter, and eliminate IUU fishing (IPOA-IUU) does not define IUU fishing, but is rather descriptive, leaving it up to states to determine the scope of the terms based on their specific contexts. LEGN also showcased certain activities that FAO leads or contributes to, in partnership with other UN agencies and entities, to promote decent work in fisheries, including the ongoing development of a study that explores the persisting challenges and opportunities to address decent work in marine fisheries (see here).
In addition to FAO’s intervention, Ms Luningning Camoying Valdez (Permanent Mission of the Philippines to the United Nations in Geneva) explained the role of the United Nations Human Rights Council (HRC) and Philippines’ support to HRC Resolution 56/18 on seafarers’ rights, adopted at the 56th session of the HRC, in July 2024. Mr David Hammond (Human Rights at Sea International) referred to an upcoming report which will provide factual information on the current situation of migrant fishers in Northern Ireland, and Ms Stephanie Hill (Leigh Day) shared her experience in a legal case involving a migrant fisher from Ghana, and the legal technicalities and procedures encountered.
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