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.