A new report from the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) has exposed severe exploitation and abuse of fishers by distant water fishing fleets registered with the South Pacific Regional Fisheries Management Organisation

Between 2013 and 2023, 66 crew members from 59 vessels registered with SPRFMO died or went missing, often under suspicious circumstances.

The ITF calls for immediate action, including coordinated inspections across SPRFMO member states to enforce labour protections, and a concerted global effort.