Retailers' alliance calls for improved working conditions for tuna fishers in Indian Ocean

As part of a new campaign, the Global Tuna Alliance (GTA), an independent group of retailers and supply chain companies, is calling for the development of crew welfare standards to address documented human rights abuses in Indian Ocean tuna fisheries.

Ahead of the 29th Session of the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOTC) on April 13, the GTA’s campaign urges IOTC members to task the working party on socio-economics with developing comprehensive labour standards drawing from the international ILO188 convention.

GTA said the human aspect of fisheries sustainability is crucial yet often overlooked. Recent reports have shown that fishermen can endure grueling, high-risk conditions both above and below deck, where abuse often goes unreported due to fear of retaliation and a lack of safeguards.

The alliance remarked that these unethical and inhumane conditions threaten the integrity and sustainability of the global tuna industry.

"Our GTA partners have made a clear commitment to uphold the rights of tuna crew," said Daniel Suddaby, GTA Executive Director. "Fishers are the backbone of this industry, and for our partners, decent working conditions at sea are non-negotiable."

The GTA said poor labour standards in tuna fisheries lead to market restrictions, reputational damage for fishing nations and seafood companies, and long-term economic losses. While implementing measures to protect the human rights of workers at sea requires initial investments, the benefits are widespread.

The alliance added that research shows forced labour is often linked to illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing practices, which pose significant threats to local tuna populations, with knock-on effects on food security and marine ecosystems.

The GTA concluded by saying decisions made at the 2025 IOTC annual meeting to begin the process of developing minimum standards for crew labour will have far-reaching implications for the welfare of fisheries communities and the industry.

The alliance is therefore urging IOTC delegates to take decisive action to ensure the future of Indian Ocean tuna fisheries and maintain competitiveness with other regions, such as the Pacific, and invites supply-chain companies and retailers with an interest in sourcing tuna from ethical and socially responsible Indian Ocean fisheries to become a GTA partner.