economy
MSC's 'blue tick' scheme creates illusion of ethically sourced fish, study claims
Sustainability certification by Marine Stewardship Council may be obscuring labour abuses in seafood supply chains, say researchers
TL;DR
- One in five vessels reporting labor abuses to the ITF were catching MSC-certified seafood.
- Researchers found 80 cases of labor abuses on 72 vessels in 25 MSC-certified fisheries.
- Allegations included forced labor, human trafficking, unpaid wages, excessive hours, and denial of medical care.
- The MSC states it is an environmental organization and does not have a social assurance mandate.
- Critics argue the MSC's certification may create an 'illusion' of ethical sourcing.
- The MSC prohibits fisheries successfully prosecuted for forced or child labor but critics note few prosecutions occur.
- The MSC is developing an online information portal for transparency.