Hawaii Longline Group Progressing with Universal Crew Contract; Plans Rapid Vetting of Conditions
The Hawaii longline fleet says they are making rapid progress implementing reforms following an AP story that uncovered forced labor, trafficking and poor working conditions on Hawaii longline vessels that use foreign crew. A task force came up with a universal crew contract that was designed to reveal features of labor agreements that can lead to abuse and forced labor. The industry also identified access to the Honolulu Fish Auction as a choke point in the distribution process that would allow for enforcement against vessels that do not use either the standard contract, or permit full interviews and audits of their crew practices. Additionally, longliners say a rapid assessment of the working conditions and treatment of the crew in the fleet is being implemented. "I am confident that with the added layer of oversight from the advisory group, the allegations of forced labor, labor abuse and poor working conditions will be quickly understood and resolved,” said John Kaneko, Task Force member and Program Director of the Hawaii Seafood Council.
Vietnam's Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development expects to issue national technical standards for glazing and moisture standards for pangasius by the end of the year. Vietnam has failed to meet several self-imposed deadlines to set standards for pangasius glazing and moisture content over the last few years.
In other news, some members of Newfoundland's commercial fishing industry want to ban the use of gillnets when the province is ready to revive commercial cod fishing. Opponents of gillnets support the hook and line method of fishing, which they say is a more effective way of maintaining quality. Harvesters and other industry participants say Newfoundland cod will have to be sold as a premium product in order to rebuild the market for the fish.
Meanwhile, New York-based smoked salmon producer Mt Kisco Smokehouse announced a voluntary recall for two types of its smoked salmon because of a chance the product is contaminated with listeria. According to Mt. Kisco the product was distributed in New York and Connecticut through retail stores and restaurants between 9/6/2016 to 9/16/2016. No illnesses have been reported to date in connection with the recall.
Finally, production estimates are low for Mississippi's upcoming oyster, scheduled to start this Monday on October 3. Most recently, the Mississippi Department of Marine Resources says a natural mortality event has killed many of the harvestable oysters. Oystermen believe bag limits should be lowered from 25 sacks per day for dredgers, down to 15 sacks or so. They say that would make the price better and would help the season last a bit longer.
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