CASE STUDY

Plundering the Southeast Pacific

Beyond the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of Peru, mostly Chinese fleets fish for squid under cover of darkness. Unseen and unaccountable, they’ve been implicated in major governance failures, environmental exploitation, and human rights abuses in the world’s most important squid fishery.

More than 200 miles out from the South American coast, these vessels often stay at sea for years at a time, cut off from the outside world, which makes it all but impossible for victims of abuse to raise the alarm or contact their loved ones. A majority of interviewed crew members reported physical abuse, abusive working and living conditions, debt bondage, and the withholding of wages. 

Animal abuse is common, too. Testimonials reveal shark finning and the capture of marine mammals such as seals, dolphins, and even whale sharks. As pressure has increased in recent years, the population of jumbo squid, the primary target of the fishery, shows signs of overfishing.

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