IMPROVING THE PROTECTION OF MIGRANT FISHERMEN IN THE TUNA SUPPLY CHAIN: A Case Study of Indonesian Fishermen on Taiwanese Distant Water Fishing Vessels Operating in the Pacific Ocean

For over a decade, forced labour and modern slavery in the fishing industry have been widely reported by major news outlets, revealing human trafficking, worker disappearances, and even deaths at sea. The fishing industry's distant water fishing (DWF) sector, where vessels operate far from regulation, is particularly prone to labour exploitation. Taiwan, the world's second-largest owner of DWF vessels, has faced international scrutiny for persistent abuses despite reforms, including a legal minimum wage for migrant fishers.

The USAID Asia Counter Trafficking in Persons project, in partnership with Humanity Research Consultancy, is investigating the exploitation of Indonesian migrant workers on Taiwanese vessels, particularly in the Pacific's tuna fishing grounds. This research aims to identify the roles and dynamics within the tuna supply chain, highlight key trafficking in persons (TIP) risks, and suggest interventions to improve labor conditions for DWF workers.

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