Labor Issues

Working conditions in aquaculture vary widely, depending on the laws within each country. Even in legal settings, workers may experience exploitative or dangerous situations, with violations concealed through the bureaucracy of complex supply chains.

The physical demands of labor at open-net pen fish farms, such as heavy lifting and repetitive tasks, put workers at risk.  Strains, falls, or injuries from large falling objects are common among workers. Farms located farther offshore expose workers to harsher conditions, and accidents in this setting can result in drownings. The use of chemicals and pharmaceuticals to clean pens or prevent or treat diseases puts workers at risk of skin conditions, burns, respiratory issues, poisoning, as well as the possibility of infection from the bacteria, fungi, or disease they are attempting to treat.

Unsafe conditions are not limited to open-ocean industrial aquaculture. Exploitative and abusive conditions are all too common in shrimp farming.  Dangerous or abusive situations, wage withholdings, and child labor are all too frequent in the effort to maintain profits while accommodating low consumer price points.