Assessing the Prevalence of Forced Labor Indicators in the US North Pacific Albacore Tuna Fishery

Abstract

Forced labor conditions can occur in fisheries across the globe including in the United States where labor migrants crew U.S. tuna vessels. Analysis of the policy landscape surrounding the employment of migrant fishers in the U.S. reveals a unique policy gap located at the interstice of four siloed areas of maritime, immigration, labor, and fisheries policy. This policy gap creates forced labor risk. Qualitative data from interviews with migrant fishers, captains, vessel owners and other experts are compared to guidelines in the ILO Detection Framework for Forced Labour in Fishing. Results suggest that indicators of forced labor are present at various times in the U.S. North Pacific albacore tuna fishery. Further, multiple indicators may be simultaneously present suggesting that forced labor risk is sometimes actualized. Effective policy solutions address the policy gap by normalizing migrant fishers’ immigration status and empowering migrant fishers to exercise their own agency through the creation of new rights.