Outlaw Ocean investigation into Chinese seafood processors
On 9 October, media organisation Outlaw Ocean published findings from a five-year investigation into seafood caught and processed in China. Part of the investigation alleges there is forced labour in some seafood processing factories. They allege that some of those processing factories are supplying seafood to brands and retailers globally, including UK businesses.
As the public body supporting the seafood sector to thrive, we have responded to the investigation. We have also included trade data for seafood imported from the China to the UK in 2022.
Seafish response
The seafood industry in the UK is committed to protecting the welfare of people and communities involved in harvesting and producing the seafood we eat. Forced labour and other forms of human rights abuses have no place in our seafood supply chains.
“The seafood industry takes allegations of this nature seriously. We are working closely with brands and retailers in the UK to understand the issues raised in the Outlaw Ocean investigation and to provide data, analysis, and guidance to support decision making. Seafish also supports the Seafood Ethics Action Alliance and will continue to work with its members on the implications of this investigation.
“UK retailers and seafood businesses have been at the forefront of efforts to improve working standards in global seafood supply chains. The complex nature of our extended supply chains means it is vital that seafood businesses continue to invest in appropriate levels of due diligence to provide assurance that the seafood we eat has been produced free from human rights abuses.
“As the Outlaw Ocean investigation has shown, this is a challenging task that no single company can address. The investigation also highlights that this is a global issue with over 300 companies and organisations from across the US, Europe and the UK impacted, so it is important that the industry continues to work collectively.
“Over the coming weeks we will work with seafood businesses to help build an accurate picture of the issue and to develop thorough and appropriate responses.”
Trade data on seafood imported from China to the UK
- In 2022, China overtook Norway as the largest supplier of seafood to the UK by live weight volume. The UK imported 153,277 live weight tonnes of fish and shellfish from China, an increase of 7% compared to 2021, although trade volumes are still below pre-Covid levels.
- In 2022, seafood imports from China represented 12.8% of all seafood imported to the UK.
- The top species imported from China to the UK were cod, Alaskan pollock, Haddock, Tilapia, Salmon and Squid.
- The UK imported £61.7 million of squid and other cephalopods in 2022, an increase of 55% compared to 2021 levels with half of this originating from China (£30.8 million).
- According to FAO global fishery production data, China is responsible for 31% of global squid and cephalopod landings in 2021, equating to 1.07 million tonnes. It is worth noting that the squid and cephalopod products consigned from China and imported to the UK may not originate from Chinese vessels. China reports importing a further 482,323 tonnes of cephalopods in 2021 for processing with almost 2/3rds (64%) consigned from Peru, Indonesia, Taiwan and USA collectively.
Further data is available on request.
Contacts for more information
For media enquiries, contact Denise Fraser, Head of Communications on denise.fraser@seafish.co.uk
All other enquiries should be sent to Aoife Martin, Director of Operations on Aoife.martin@seafish.co.uk