Human Rights at Sea International has been instructed to assist the Northern Irish fishing community and its members to review internal processes for the safety, security and well-being of deck crew.
[UPDATED]. HRAS International has been working in Northern Ireland variously since 2017 when it was invited to commence early crew independent social reviews which were published alongside remediation activities from findings.
Those transparent findings put the foreign crew at the heart of the personal reviews, with detailed individual interviews supported by The Fishermen's Mission.
In August, HRAS International was re-instructed by Anglo Northern Ireland Fish Producers Organisation (ANIFPO) and Northern Ireland Fish Producers’ Organisation (NIFPO) based in Kilkeel Harbour, Northern Ireland.
As part of the expanding ESG and human rights due diligence requirements by the UK and overseas fishing supply and value chain, the need for transparent and accountable processes, protocols and access to vessel data continues to grow.
The public-facing approach is being driven by consumer demands for transparent supply chains including strengthening environmental, biodiversity and human sustainability. It also reflects the neeed for worker voice and worker inclusive models of direct engagement, a key tenant of mandatory Human Rights Due Diligence.
The need for more robust assurances of safe working environments for all deck crew, both domestic and foreign can not be ignored. This requires direct crew engagement and input which is underway.
During 2024, HRAS International will be working with its clients to drive forward standards, access and crew welfare provisions. This will be conducted, as required, alongside state licensing, auditing and other competent authorities.
At the time of writing, the ITF Fisheries section has refused to engage despite direct outreach. It is further part of an unnecessary challenge for the ongoing remediation work in what has been an unprecedented attack, while promoting its own pilot scheme.
ENDS.
Industry Press
The Fishing Daily: Action to Address Crew Social Standards in the Northern Irish Fishing Community
Fishing News: 29 August 2024 Cover and Page 5.
Source: HRAS International.
Photo credit: David Hammond, Kilkeel Harbour. 2024.
Contact: If you have any questions, please write to us at enquiries@hrasi.org.
About Sharing. We welcome the use and dissemination of our copyrighted work with full, accurate and proper accreditation.
©Copyright and Intellectual Property of HRAS International 2024. All rights reserved.