Thread by @ejfoundation

BREAKING 🎣🚨

Our investigations have found the 🇨🇳 fishing fleet is responsible for systemic illegal fishing & human rights abuses in the Southwest Indian Ocean (SWIO).

These findings undercut China’s claims of supporting sustainable development in the region.

China’s distant water fleet (DWF) is the largest in the world, and has a growing reputation for perpetuating human rights and environmental abuses.

Our report is the first of its kind to investigate China’s DWF in the SWIO.

Read it here ⬇️
ejfoundation.org/reports/tide-o…

Of the 44 fishers we interviewed who worked on board China’s SWIO tuna fleet,
➡️ 55% reported physical violence
➡️ 80% reported shark finning
➡️ 96% reported excessive overtime
➡️ 100% reported abusive working & living conditions

@sofiamazzanaro @OCHBelga @MaredGwyn @bruxelles2 @andreavaldambri @WolfgangHansson @KarinEAxelsson The lack of labour protections leads to the exploitation of migrant workers, causing sickness and injury. Intimidation and violence are also common – these are just some of the crimes committed by China’s DWF.

We found one suspected case of a crew member being driven to suicide.

@sofiamazzanaro @OCHBelga @MaredGwyn @bruxelles2 @andreavaldambri @WolfgangHansson @KarinEAxelsson The trail of destruction extends to environmental abuse.

The SWIO is a biodiversity hotspot. However, illegal fishing and overexploitation pose a growing threat.

Shark finning, using banned techniques, and butchering marine megafauna are just some of the crimes committed.

@sofiamazzanaro @OCHBelga @MaredGwyn @bruxelles2 @andreavaldambri @WolfgangHansson @KarinEAxelsson China has invested heavily in countries bordering the SWIO. These investments are often opaque and concerns have been raised regarding impacts on coastal communities.

We found that contrary to China’s sustainable goals, the fleet has harmed the livelihoods of artisanal fishers.

@sofiamazzanaro @OCHBelga @MaredGwyn @bruxelles2 @andreavaldambri @WolfgangHansson @KarinEAxelsson Seafood linked to these vessels is potentially entering global markets.

More attention must be paid to 🇨🇳's DWF and fisheries investments in the SWIO by the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission, coastal, market, port and flag states and, most of all, by the Chinese government.

@sofiamazzanaro @OCHBelga @MaredGwyn @bruxelles2 @andreavaldambri @WolfgangHansson @KarinEAxelsson @steventrent @Lattif @khoureld @DavidStanway @rosenthal_jon @JChengWSJ @Colum_M While the Chinese DWF is not the only culprit for illegal fishing in the SWIO, the uniquely shocking abuses it perpetuates across the region demand significant change now, including more transparency.

Watch the full film here 🎬