March 2, 2024 — The following was released by NOAA Fisheries:
On February 28, NOAA Fisheries brought together more than 100 officials representing government agencies, labor and environmental advocacy organizations, and the seafood industry. They reflected on progress and identified next steps in their efforts to address labor issues within the seafood supply chain. The Seafood Labor Summit was the final step in a 15-month initiative known as the Collaborative Accelerator for Lawful Maritime Conditions in Seafood, or CALM-CS.
NOAA developed the initiative to promote legal and safe working conditions throughout the fishing and seafood industry by combating forced labor and advocating for lawful and secure working conditions within the seafood sector. Its goals included identifying best practices to ensure that seafood entering the United States is not harvested using illegal or unsafe labor practices.
NOAA leadership emphasized the importance of addressing forced labor throughout the summit. “The Biden Administration is committed to making good on the shared vision of fair, decent and legal working conditions for all, across the seafood supply chain,” said NOAA Administrator Dr. Rick Spinrad. “From developing a collective vision for how due diligence elements can be applied across the seafood industry, to exploring practical and effective tools to implement ethical recruitment practices, the CALM-CS initiative has delivered tangible progress.”