Maritime trafficking is modern slavery at sea, a violation of the human dignity of laborers at all stages of the seafood supply chain and aquaculture industries. The virtually unregulated fishing industry in many countries, coupled with the global demand for cheap seafood, create the lawless conditions under which trafficking at sea flourishes. Some migrants are recruited into fishing crews by false promises of a living-wage, incurring crippling debts to obtain the job that becomes their trafficking situation. Facing a shortage of fishing crews, many trafficker resort to kidnapping and enslaving fishers to work on their vessels.
Regardless of how a trafficking situation might arise, the realities confronting victims are often harsh. Malnourishment is prevalent and total disregard for basic medical needs/injuries commonplace. Victims are often exposed to extreme climactic conditions with no protective gear and are forced to work long hours with little rest. The price of non-compliance can be brutal beatings, and often death.
How you can help!
There are two easy ways that you can help right now:
- Educate yourself: Take an opportunity to study our Solidarity with Seafarers toolkit, which has prayer resources and background information on this problem. Share it with friends!
- Join our Postcard Campaign: Please join us in our Labeling for Lent Campaign where we are sending postcards to The Kroger Co. and Whole Foods Market to ask for change in ensuring policies, procedures and products are not tainted with slave labor. Postcards are available for download. All you need to do is fill out your information, post a stamp, and drop them in the mail.