Tag Archives: human rights abuses

Whole Foods drops Honolulu fish auction until it proves fair boat labor

Whole Foods has suspended buying fish from the Hawaii fish auction amid concerns over the labor practices of some fishing vessels. It’s an issue Always Investigating first reported on back in 2013 and is now getting national attention. Fishermen describe horrid working conditions, rock bottom pay, and even allegations of international crew captivity aboard some of the boats that dock at Honolulu Harbor. Industry watchers say the Whole Foods move could be just the first of many, and the fish auction is already working on a system to weed out vessels with unfair labor practices. Telling Always Investigating they have “zero tolerance for human rights abuses,” Whole Foods said Tuesday: “We have suspended purchases of the small amount of fish we source from the Hawaiian seafood auction until we can ensure the working conditions on these boats align with our core values.” Read the story here 12:20

Read Foreign fishermen confined to boats catch Hawaiian seafood Click here

Lauren Reid: The Truth About Tuna – Sailing to the Front Line of Pacific Tuna Fisheries

With recent stories of overfishing, shark finning, and human rights abuses (one New York Times reporter stated that being a fisherman in some parts of the Pacific Ocean “was a job where more than 50 percent of workers report their boss killing a co-worker”), I can’t help but feel extremely moved and heartbroken if these are true. The best way for me to comprehend how our canned tuna actually gets from sea to plate is to head to the source itself. Read  Sailing to the Front Line of Pacific Tuna Fisheries – part one, Out on the High Seas – part twoHard Life Aboard – part three, Reflections on Commercial Fishing – part four.09:35