Resources
International Treaty Reports
FGP’s International Treaty working group is focused on the adoption of key international treaties and their implementation.
To Provide Adequate Protection of Fishers’ Labour and Human Rights on Board Fishing Vessels
Study (Part 1)
On behalf of the Fisheries Governance Project
January 2022
This study aims to assess key instruments underpinning global fisheries governance and related instruments with a view to identifying gaps and opportunities to ensure adequate protection of fishers’ labour and human rights on vessels.To Provide Adequate Protection of Fishers’ Labour and Human Rights on Board Fishing Vessels
Country Study (Part 2)
On behalf of the Fisheries Governance Project
March 2022
This report complements the study undertaken in 2021 (part 1). It provides a brief overview of the fisheries sector in seven selected countries across the world, namely China, Marshall Islands, Peru, Senegal, Seychelles, Spain, and Vietnam. It provides basic information on the fisheries sector, a mapping of key treaty ratification, an assessment of implementation of key instruments through a brief review of the national policy and legal framework, and a mapping of key initiatives supporting implementation of key instruments.
Market Compliance Reports
FGP’s Market Compliance working group is focused on market compliance with a strong set of corporate duties at the intersection of IUU fishing and labor rights.
Defining Corporate Duties in Seafood Supply Chains to Prevent IUU Fishing & Labor Rights Abuse on Industrial Fishing Vessels
October 2025
This document provides a consolidated set of environmental and labor rights duties that seafood companies must uphold throughout their operations to identify, prevent, and address labor rights abuse and illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing in their seafood supply chains. The framework includes detailed actions to take and references to more specific guidance for establishing systems such as grievance mechanisms and traceability reporting.
Intersectional Reports
This report reflects the interests of all three FGP working groups.
Strategic Opportunities to Advance Accountability in Wild-Caught Fisheries
October 2025
In 2022, the Fisheries Governance Project (FGP) and the US Agency for International Development co-hosted an expert workshop aimed at addressing illegality in industrial fisheries. Participants developed recommendations for improving information flows to increase consequences for illegal harvesting and labor practices.
These recommendations offered a comprehensive response to illegality in the sector, achieved through action by key actors: industry, fisher-led organizations, civil society, and governments. They also provided a framework to map current initiatives, identify gaps in action, and chart next steps. This report updates the 2022 recommendations based on interviews with 25 experts.
Accountability & Fisher Organizing Reports
FGP’s Accountability & Fisher Organizing working group is focused on improving fisher empowerment and strengthening fisher-led organizations.
By Eric Mawuko Atsiatorme and Dorcas Akosua Agbesi
July 24–25, 2025 proceedings
This report describes the outcomes of a two-day Fisher Learning Exchange in Ghana. The exchange brought together fisher and fisher worker organizations from across the country to explore how they are supporting their members and advancing sustainable fisheries management.
By Rosario Espinoza Martínez and Pablo Yáñez
May 20-21 2025 proceedings
This report describes the workshop proceedings as leaders of fishing cooperative federations in Mexico and Central American gathered to characterize fishing cooperatives and their relationship with authorities in each county for the sustainability of fishery resources; describe the challenges and opportunities for strengthening and dignifying the fishing sector; and identify possibilities for action.
Understanding the Capacity of Ghanaian Women’s Organizations to Contribute to Fisheries Management Solutions for Human Wellbeing and Ecological Sustainability
By Baviina Safia Musah, Doris Owusu, Heidi Schuttenberg
July 2025
Ghanaian women within fisheries are organizing to assert their voices, improve labor conditions, and influence sector governance. This report offers a deep analysis of women’s roles across the harvesting, processing, trading, and support services, and highlights the diversity of their contributions and the systemic vulnerabilities they face.
Session by Session Report
By Labor Justice
September 2025
This report describes the convening’s workshop sessions, focused on understanding and enhancing participating organizers’ capacity to campaign, engage in collective bargaining, negotiate with supply chain actors, navigate retaliation, organize workers, and identify and pursue opportunities for deeper regional collaboration to advance workers’ rights and demands.Lessons from Ecuador, Ghana, Indonesia, Mexico, Taiwan, and Thailand
By Judy Gearhart and Connor MoynihanMay 2025
This paper presents lessons from fisher organizing in diverse sectors. The research reviews organizing trends in six countries and identifies common challenges and factors contributing to fisher organizing. In all six countries — Ecuador, Ghana, Indonesia, Mexico, Taiwan, and Thailand — new organizing initiatives have recently emerged.
This research considers a range of dynamics that affect fisher organizing and their ability to access information, seek remedy, and influence policy outcomes. The findings highlight areas where more work and strategizing are needed to build stronger and more influential fisher organizations.