In the wake of Corporate Accountability Lab, Associated Press, and Outlaw Ocean reports alleging forced labor and antibiotic use in the Indian shrimp industry, the Seafood Task Force (STF) has committed itself and its partners, some of which include Indian shrimp companies, toward taking the lead on improving labor practices across the industry.
In early March, the STF, a U.S.-based nonprofit trade association representing major retailers, brands, foodservice companies, and supply chain partners, added 17 new Asian member companies into its ranks, including top Indian shrimp exporter Devi Sea Foods.
The new additions, as well as the focus the task force has placed on South and Southeast Asia, has increased the importance of an upcoming STF meeting in Mumbai in late April, where the issues featured in the reports will be discussed.
“This meeting will apply STF-tested models and approaches to the new group, with meeting agenda highlights including bringing all key stakeholders together … sharing best practices from our work in Thailand … [and] setting clear expectations,” STF Executive Director Martin Thurley said in a recent member briefing.
The Seafood Task Force was created in 2014 to address illegal and forced labor in Thailand’s seafood supply chain, an issue brought to light by an Associated Press investigation. Since its inception, the STF has concentrated on pushing its members to meet ESG standards and due diligence requirements.
On 10 March, a panel at the 2024 Seafood Expo North America featuring representatives from STF members Bumble Bee, Starkist, Costco, Walmart, and Thai Union focused on the task force’s step-by-step process to help restore global market confidence in seafood sourced from Asia.
“We are imperfect. We use that as our internal motto,” Thurley said. “We do not let perfection get in the way of progress. We want retailers and brands to have confidence in the supply chain all the way back to the vessels.”
Thurley specifically highlighted the STF’s work with small-scale farmers in Thailand and the effectiveness of its “boots-on-the-ground” approach to ensuring compliance and responsible practices.
“It’s important to go discover and find out what’s going on in these operations,” Thurley said.
“When talking about Thailand, we went down and visited and did such things as going to a recruitment agency to fully understand what was going on.”