Global Illegal Fishing, Forced Labor Sparks Bipartisan Concern
House Republicans and Democrats want answers from several federal agencies on how they are addressing illegal fishing and human rights abuses in the multibillion-dollar international seafood industry.
Natural Resources panel members today sent letters to officials at eight agencies seeking information and documents related to news reports alleging abuses in the global industry. Those illegal practices threaten American seafood production and consumption, as well as marine ecosystems. The lawmakers cited reporting in the New Yorker and Associated Press detailing evidence of human trafficking within the global seafood supply chain, including by companies with links to Uyghur forced labor.
Almost 11%--or $2.4 billion worth of US seafood imports--are from illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing, according to the U.S. International Trade Commission. Upwards of $23 billion is lost on global markets each year because of unpaid taxes and fees, resulting from illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing.
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By: Kellie Lunney
Source: Bloomberg Government
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