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| Slavery risk warning over UK's scallop fisheries | Slavery risk warning over UK's scallop fisheries |
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| Marine conservation campaigners have warned there is a critical risk that slaves are being used on British scallop fishing boats, and urged retailers to be on their guard. | Marine conservation campaigners have warned there is a critical risk that slaves are being used on British scallop fishing boats, and urged retailers to be on their guard. |
| A new slavery risk register published in the US on Thursday has singled out the UK’s queen and giant scallops fisheries as the most at risk of modern slavery after a Guardian investigation found allegations of bonded labour in the industry. | A new slavery risk register published in the US on Thursday has singled out the UK’s queen and giant scallops fisheries as the most at risk of modern slavery after a Guardian investigation found allegations of bonded labour in the industry. |
| Nine African and Asian crew were taken off a pair of British scallop trawlers in Portsmouth in December as suspected victims of modern slavery, and two skippers, one from Scotland and the second from Merseyside, were detained by police. | Nine African and Asian crew were taken off a pair of British scallop trawlers in Portsmouth in December as suspected victims of modern slavery, and two skippers, one from Scotland and the second from Merseyside, were detained by police. |
| The register, compiled by Monterey Bay Aquarium – one of the most prominent conservation campaigns in the US – the anti-slavery group Liberty Asia and the Sustainable Fisheries Partnership, also cites other alleged cases of suspected slavery involving migrant labour in Scotland and southern England in 2017, 2014 and 2012. | The register, compiled by Monterey Bay Aquarium – one of the most prominent conservation campaigns in the US – the anti-slavery group Liberty Asia and the Sustainable Fisheries Partnership, also cites other alleged cases of suspected slavery involving migrant labour in Scotland and southern England in 2017, 2014 and 2012. |
| Scallop dredging is already highly controversial because some marine conservationists believe it can cause serious damage to other species. Young’s, one of the biggest seafood wholesalers and retailers, said it no longer stocked British scallops. | Scallop dredging is already highly controversial because some marine conservationists believe it can cause serious damage to other species. Young’s, one of the biggest seafood wholesalers and retailers, said it no longer stocked British scallops. |
| Bertie Armstrong, chief executive of skippers’ membership body the Scottish Fishermen’s Federation, said: “Slavery in any modern, civilised society is abhorrent and the fishing industry will not tolerate it. Were we to discover any instance of it we would act swiftly to expel those who would stoop low enough to indulge in its practice.” | Bertie Armstrong, chief executive of skippers’ membership body the Scottish Fishermen’s Federation, said: “Slavery in any modern, civilised society is abhorrent and the fishing industry will not tolerate it. Were we to discover any instance of it we would act swiftly to expel those who would stoop low enough to indulge in its practice.” |
| Last month the campaign group OpenSeas and the National Trust for Scotland conservation charity lodged formal objections to proposals that the Marine Stewardship Council re-certifies the Shetland scallop dredging fishery, allowing it to keep using the MSC’s sought-after eco label. | Last month the campaign group OpenSeas and the National Trust for Scotland conservation charity lodged formal objections to proposals that the Marine Stewardship Council re-certifies the Shetland scallop dredging fishery, allowing it to keep using the MSC’s sought-after eco label. |
| The Guardian reported concerns in December that the Shetland fishery damaged the seabed and other threatened species, such as common skate. The fishery has had its MSC accreditation extended for six months while the objections are investigated. | The Guardian reported concerns in December that the Shetland fishery damaged the seabed and other threatened species, such as common skate. The fishery has had its MSC accreditation extended for six months while the objections are investigated. |
| Its advocates say the register, which has a worldwide reach, is designed to alert supermarkets, wholesalers and restaurants to the potential risks of buying certain products. They say buyers should take steps to check their suppliers are clear of any link to bonded labour. | Its advocates say the register, which has a worldwide reach, is designed to alert supermarkets, wholesalers and restaurants to the potential risks of buying certain products. They say buyers should take steps to check their suppliers are clear of any link to bonded labour. |
| The register includes Albacore tuna caught in Japan, Patagonian toothfish from Argentina and Chile, and numerous tuna fisheries in Taiwan as being of high or critical risk. It is understood the risk register is considering including other parts of the UK fishing industry. | The register includes Albacore tuna caught in Japan, Patagonian toothfish from Argentina and Chile, and numerous tuna fisheries in Taiwan as being of high or critical risk. It is understood the risk register is considering including other parts of the UK fishing industry. |