A group of fishers has filed a groundbreaking lawsuit in San Diego, California, against Bumble Bee Foods, alleging they were victims of human trafficking and forced labour while catching tuna sold by the company in the US

The suit, filed on 12 March 2025 under the Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act (TVPRA), claims the fishers were subjected to horrific abuse and exploitation on fishing vessels.

The plaintiffs describe physical violence, emotional abuse, untreated injuries, debt bondage, excessive working hours and threats to workers’ families to prevent them from escaping.