Modern Slavery in the Fishing Industry

Modern slavery continues to be one of the primary challenges for the international community, even more so when occurring at sea. People working at sea are “out of sight, out of mind” (International Transport Workers’ Federation, 2006). Workers in maritime sectors, especially in the fishing industry, are exposed to very extreme weather conditions, are subject to the unpredictability of the ocean, and further isolated from any forms of protection on land often for very lengthy periods. In addition, people working in these sectors are frequently migrant workers: they are further marginalised due to structural socio-economic injustice, and may easily fall victims to criminal networks’ activity within the global supply chain.

Funded by the SOAS Impact Acceleration Account (Economic and Social Research Council), Dr Andrea Longo organises a panel of experts & stakeholder roundtable bringing together leading academics and experts to unpack the legal complexities underlying modern slavery in the fishing industry and discuss ongoing initiatives aimed at its eradication.

Panel of experts: legal aspects of modern slavery on-board fishing vessels

• Michelle Staggs Kelsall, Lecturer in International Law, SOAS, University of London (chair)
• Parosha Chandran, barrister and Professor of Practice in Modern Slavery Law, King’s College London
• Virginia Mantouvalou, Professor of Human Rights and Labour Law, University College London
• Irini Papanicolopulu, Professor of International Law, SOAS, University of Londo

Stakeholders roundtable: practical issues and potential solutions

• Luningning Camoying Valdez, Diplomatic Mission of the Republic of the Philippines, UN Human Right Council
• Pierandrea Leucci, Legal Officer, European Commission/DG MARE
• Julia Nakamura, Legal Officer, UN Food and Agriculture Organisation
• David Hammond, Executive Director, Human Rights at Sea International
• & more TBC!

Space is limited so please register for a ticket to ensure your place.

Any questions? Contact Andrea at [email protected]

Background to the Impact Acceleration Account

In 2023, SOAS secured £1.25 million from the UK Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) to run a 5-yearImpact Acceleration Account (IAA) to develop impact in the areas of migration, displacement, minorities and marginalisation. As part of this initiative, Dr Andrea Longo was awarded a small strategic grant to raise awareness about the marginalisation of migrant workers and human rights violations in the fisheries sector.

Host or Publisher Andrea Longo