Fishing activities in Pacific Island Countries: A human-rights perspective

Abstract

Fishing activities, at sea and on land, continue to raise serious concerns, particularly in the developing world. Practices at sea affect fish stocks, ecology, national economic benefits, and livelihoods, with the inherent inhuman treatment of crew and other workers presenting serious human-rights challenges. Human-rights abuses in the Pacific Island Countries’ (PICs’) fishing industry is alarming. We use a human-rights approach to explore the concerns and complexities of fishing activities with particular reference to the tuna industry. We examine the nature and drivers of human-rights violation in the industry and identify policy measures that can contribute to management efforts at addressing the challenge. Departing from the ‘traditional’ stock, revenue, environment, and ecology discourse, we point out that violation of human-rights in the industry is a concern, often overlooked by existing enforcement and regulatory policies. This paper further identifies the implications of criminal fishing activities on front-line players and stresses the need for socioeconomic justice in the industry.