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.
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 🎬
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.@PolicyPECH highlights that 🇨🇳's fleet - the world's biggest - operates globally and drives #overfishing, environmental destruction & human rights abuse.
The fleet profits unfairly from illegality, a lack of transparency & data gaps as our report shows: ejfoundation.org/reports/the-ev…
.@PolicyPech reports that the 🇪🇺 can encourage 🇨🇳 towards regulating its fleet.
But this is possible only if the 🇪🇺@EU_Mare can lead by example and be credible when it promotes #transparency.
Tomorrow the @EUCouncil will adopt a set of conclusions on international ocean governance and #DeepSeaMining.
Their decisions will shape the future of the #DeepSea.
EU Member States must stand against #DeepSeaMining to protect the world’s last true wilderness from harm.
We welcome @EUCouncil steps to support stronger regulations, higher environmental standards & a precautionary principle on potential future #DeepSeaMining.
But more ambitious targets & proper commitments are needed to #DefendTheDeep from those who want to destroy it for profit.
Surprisingly, the same @EUCouncil called for a more ambitious position on #DeepSeaMining in 2020.
Yet now #EU Member States want to cut back on ambition just as #COP15 talks on new global #biodiversity targets are underway.