Somalia at Summit: Enhancing Labour Conditions on Fishing Vessels and Embassy Roles in South Africa

International Summit Addresses Forced Labor and Illegal Fishing: A Focus on Fishermen’s Rights and Maritime Security

By Archyde News – Published March 22,2025

Cape Town,South Africa — In a move to combat illegal fishing and protect the rights of fishermen,an international summit was convened in cape Town. The summit, held recently, brought together representatives from numerous countries to address labor conditions aboard fishing vessels and the critical role embassies and consulates play in safeguarding the well-being of their citizens working at sea.

The International Labor Organization (ILO) and South Africa’s Department of Employment & Labor (DEL) organized and hosted the summit, with attendance from officials representing a diverse group of nations, including Indonesia, Philippines, Taiwan, South Korea, China, Japan, India, Sri Lanka, Brazil, Russia, the United States, UK, Norway, Germany, and Somalia.

Summit Highlights: Protecting Fishermen and Combating Illegal Fishing

the core focus of the summit was to explore strategies for states to prevent illegal fishing activities while concurrently ensuring the protection of fishermen’s rights. this dual approach recognizes that vulnerable labor conditions often exist in tandem with illegal fishing operations.

Mohamed Ali Cibaar, Somalia’s Commercial Affairs Attaché to South Africa, emphasized the significance of the event for his nation: “The summit focused on how states can prevent illegal fishing and at the same time protect fisher’s rights.” He added, “It was honor for Somalia to participate at this crucial meeting as our country is recovering decades of lawlessness.”

Cibaar also highlighted the potential benefits for Somalia’s coast guard: “We welcome that our coastguards will get knowledge and expertise from SAMSA once they receive the training.” SAMSA refers to the South African Maritime Safety Authority.

Forced Labor at sea: A global Crisis with Implications for the U.S.

The issue of forced labor in the fishing industry is a global problem, affecting potentially tens of thousands of fishers worldwide. Global Fishing Watch notes the severity of the issue: Forced labor, a form of modern slavery, is a serious problem in fisheries, with potentially tens of thousands of fishers as victims. Thes abuses happen out of sight of authorities, seafood buyers and families of fishers.

For U.S. consumers, this issue hits close to home. A meaningful portion of the seafood consumed in the United States is imported, meaning there’s a risk that forced labor might potentially be involved in the supply chain. This presents both ethical and economic concerns.Consumers increasingly demand openness and sustainability, and businesses face reputational risks if they are linked to forced labor practices.

the U.S. government has taken steps to address this issue. U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) can issue Withhold Release Orders (WROs) to prevent goods made with forced labor from entering the country. The Seafood Import Monitoring Program (SIMP) also aims to combat illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing, which is often linked to labor abuses.

The fight against forced labor in the fishing industry requires international cooperation, robust enforcement mechanisms, and increased consumer awareness.

Somalia’s Struggle: Illegal Fishing, Piracy, and the Need for Stronger coast guards

Somalia faces significant challenges in protecting its coastline. Decades of instability have created a situation where illegal fishing, piracy, and weapons smuggling are rampant. A weak coast guard further exacerbates these problems.

The summit recognized the urgent need to strengthen Somalia’s coast guard through training and resource allocation. Enhanced capabilities are essential to combat illegal activities and assert sovereignty over its waters.

Recent developments and Practical Applications

Since the summit, several developments have occured:

• International organizations are increasingly using satellite technology and machine learning to track fishing vessels and identify potential instances of forced labor.
• Consumer awareness campaigns are gaining traction, encouraging consumers to demand sustainably sourced seafood.
• Governments are strengthening regulations and enforcement mechanisms to combat IUU fishing and labor abuses.

Practical applications arising from this summit include:

• Embassies and consulates are now better equipped to monitor the welfare of their citizens working on fishing vessels and provide assistance when needed.
• Collaborative efforts between nations are increasing, leading to more effective enforcement of maritime laws.
• Increased training and resources are being directed towards strengthening coast guards in vulnerable nations like Somalia.

area of Focus	Actionable Item	U.S. Implication
Forced labor Detection	Implement advanced monitoring technologies	Enhance CBP’s ability to intercept tainted seafood imports
Fishermen’s Rights	Strengthen international labor laws	Promote ethical sourcing practices within the U.S. seafood industry
coastal Security	Provide aid to strengthen coast guards in vulnerable nations	Reduce piracy risks impacting international trade

Addressing Counterarguments

Some argue that increased regulations and enforcement efforts could harm the fishing industry and raise seafood prices. however, these concerns must be weighed against the ethical imperative to eliminate forced labor and ensure lasting fishing practices. Moreover, a level playing field benefits legitimate businesses that adhere to ethical standards.

Conclusion

The Cape Town summit represents a crucial step forward in the fight against forced labor and illegal fishing. By fostering international collaboration, strengthening enforcement mechanisms, and raising consumer awareness, we can create a more ethical and sustainable seafood industry. For U.S. consumers, this means demanding transparency and supporting businesses that prioritize fair labor practices. The time to act is now.

What steps can you take in your own life, starting today, to support ethical seafood choices and help combat forced labor in the fishing industry?

Interview: Combating Forced Labor in the Seafood Industry

By Archyde news – Published March 22, 2025

Interview with Dr. Anya Sharma,Maritime Labor Rights Advocate

Archyde News: Dr. Sharma, thank you for joining us. The recent international summit in Cape Town addressed critical issues of forced labor and illegal fishing. As a leading advocate for maritime labor rights, what were your key takeaways from the summit?

Dr. Sharma: Thank you for having me. The summit was a pivotal moment. The primary takeaway was the global recognition of the interconnectedness between combating illegal fishing, protecting fishermen’s rights, and ensuring maritime security. It’s clear these issues must be addressed concurrently.

Archyde News: The summit highlighted the challenges in addressing forced labor, especially given the isolation of fishing vessels. What specific strategies were discussed to improve enforcement and protect vulnerable workers?

Dr. Sharma: Several key strategies were discussed.Firstly, the utilization of advanced monitoring technologies, including satellite tracking and AI, to identify potential instances of forced labor.Secondly, strengthening the role of embassies and consulates in monitoring the welfare of their citizens at sea. Thirdly strengthening international labor laws and promoting ethical sourcing in the seafood industry. International cooperation and the sharing of best practices are vital for effective enforcement.

Archyde News: The U.S. plays a notable role in the seafood market. how can U.S. consumers and businesses contribute to combating forced labor within the seafood supply chain?

Dr. Sharma: U.S. consumers have immense power. They can demand transparency by supporting businesses that can trace their seafood back to its source and demonstrate ethical labor practices. Businesses must prioritize ethical sourcing and conduct thorough due diligence throughout their supply chains. The Seafood Import Monitoring Program (SIMP) and the use of Withhold Release Orders (WROs) by U.S. Customs and border Protection (CBP) are vital tools, but consumer and business vigilance is equally important.

Archyde News: Somalia’s situation,with illegal fishing,piracy,and a weak coast guard,was also addressed.How can strengthening coastal security in vulnerable nations contribute to the fight against forced labor?

Dr. sharma: Addressing coastal security directly impacts the ability to combat illegal fishing, which is often linked to forced labor. A strong coast guard can disrupt illegal activities, protect fishermen’s rights, and deter human trafficking.The summit correctly focused on providing aid to strengthen coast guards in vulnerable nations like Somalia. Capacity building through training, as SAMSA is providing, and the provision of resources are key elements.

Archyde News: Looking ahead, what do you see as the most significant hurdles in the fight against forced labor in the fishing industry?

Dr. Sharma: I think the biggest hurdles are maintaining consistent international cooperation, ensuring robust enforcement regardless of jurisdictional challenges, and, most importantly, raising widespread awareness.Getting all stakeholders involved in the process including governments, businesses, and consumers, is important. the sheer scale of the problem, with perhaps tens of thousands of fishers as victims, poses a constant challenge. We also need to address counterarguments that are presented to these types of efforts.

Archyde News: what message woudl you like to leave with our readers about their role in creating a more ethical and lasting seafood industry?

Dr. Sharma: The message is simple: Ask questions. Demand to know where your seafood comes from and how it was sourced. Support businesses that are clear and prioritize ethical labor practices. Every consumer has an opportunity to make an impact. What steps can you take in your own life, starting today, to support ethical seafood choices and help combat forced labor in the fishing industry? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below.