Fisheries value chains and ocean extractivism
Examining labour regimes and human rights for workers at sea.
Principal Investigators
This work package investigates the interplay between social and ecological vulnerabilities in fisheries across the Atlantic Ocean. The research is focused on issues such as the environmental and human toll of industrial fishing, the precarity of ocean-based labour, the integration of migrant labour in fisheries, and/or the effects of climate change on the health and working conditions of seafarers and fish processing workers.
The geographic focus of this project includes Canada, Latin America and West Africa.
30 Million
People Are At Sea, Right Now
45%
Of Women Working At Sea reported sexual harassment
32-100k
fishers lose their life at work, every year
Featured case study
Human rights violations in fisheries in Atlantic Canada, Latin America, and the Caribbean
Our team is developing a case study that investigates labour exploitation and human rights abuses at sea, with a focus on precarious workers in the marine industry across the Americas. This includes seafarers, deckhands, migrant workers, and fisherfolk, whose experiences highlight systemic challenges in the sector.
Slavery at sea is especially concerning due to the lack of oversight and visibility in remote maritime environments. Fishing vessels often operate far from shore, making it challenging for authorities to monitor their activities. This isolation enables the exploitation of vulnerable workers, who frequently endure harsh conditions away from public scrutiny.