April 1, 2024

 

Study shows human rights and environmental abuses in Indian shrimp industry

 
 


A recent study conducted by the Corporate Accountability Lab has shed light on concerning human rights and environmental violations within India's shrimp industry, Deeper Blue reported.

 

The report delves into the practices of Indian shrimp aquaculture, a thriving industry worth billions of dollars, which heavily supplies shrimp to US consumers through national and local supermarkets and restaurants.

 

Shrimp holds the title of the most consumed seafood in the US, with India being the leading shrimp supplier, accounting for 40.8% of all shrimp imports in 2023.

 

According to the findings, there is evidence of forced labour, substandard living and working conditions for supply chain workers, environmental degradation, and the inadequacies of social auditing certification schemes designed to ensure ethical and sustainable shrimp production in India.

 

The report also said the current model of farmed shrimp production is unsustainable, failing workers, the environment, and ultimately, retailers, wholesalers, and consumers. The Indian shrimp industry is plagued by discrimination, perilous work environments, exploitative child labour, sexual harassment, debt bondage, intimidation tactics, pollution, fraudulent certification schemes, and a lack of effective oversight.

 

Dr Max Valentine, campaign director at Oceana, said the report underscores the alarming reality of imported seafood produced under forced labour reaching American tables.

 

Dr Valentine said without comprehensive traceability measures that track seafood from fishing nets or farms to dinner plates, unscrupulous actors will continue to flout regulations to maximise. profits. Mandating traceability for all seafood, ensuring it originates from legal fisheries and passes through transparent supply chains, will instil consumer confidence, and support law-abiding businesses.

 

-      Deeper Blue

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