MSC‑certified vessels tied to labour abuses
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- MSC certified vessels were linked to labour abuses, with one‑in‑five vessels reported to the ITF being MSC‑certified.
- ITF data showed 80 abuse cases across 72 vessels in 25 MSC‑certified fisheries, including forced labour, human trafficking and debt bondage.
- Jessica Sparks noted that MSC’s policy of excluding only vessels with forced‑labour convictions overlooks many exploitative practices, as prosecutions are rare.
- MSC spokesperson affirmed the organisation has no social‑assurance mandate and that convictions provide a clear legal basis for barring vessels.
- International Labour Organization estimated 128,000 workers were trapped in forced labour on fishing vessels worldwide in 2022.
- MSC is ending third‑party social audits and developing an online information portal to improve transparency after an expert panel deemed audits ineffective.
Why it matters: Consumers seeking responsibly sourced seafood may be misled by the MSC’s blue‑tick, while workers on certified vessels continue to face unpaid wages and forced labour; the study’s findings pressure the MSC to expand its oversight beyond environmental criteria, potentially reshaping certification standards.
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