Jakarta, 3 December 2024 – At its 21st Regular Session held in Suva, Fiji, on Dec. 3, 2024, the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC 21) took a landmark step by adopting new Conservation and Management Measures (CMM) to regulate labour standards for fishing crews on vessels operating within its jurisdiction [1]. This decision underscores WCPFC’s commitment not only to sustainable fisheries but also to the well-being of the crews who work at sea, and mainstreaming a human rights based approach in regional fisheries management.

As the primary Regional Fisheries Management Organization (RFMO) for the Pacific Ocean’s Western and Central regions, the WCPFC oversees fish population management, promotes sustainable fishing practices, and implements conservation measures. Annual meetings like WCPFC 21 are critical for reviewing progress, addressing challenges, and adopting measures that are binding on member states and cooperating non-members.
At this WCPFC 21, the Indonesian Migrant Workers Union (SBMI) and Greenpeace Indonesia as part of the SBMI’s delegation team, actively participated in discussions on labor standards co-chaired by Indonesia and New Zealand. These standards aim to ensure crew welfare, covering essential issues such as responses to serious injury or illness, protocols in cases of death, unfair contract termination, and measures against forced labour aboard fishing vessels.
The road to consensus was challenging. In 2013, Indonesia brought the issue of slavery at sea to the forefront during WCPFC 10 in Cairns, Australia. Later, in 2018, WCPFC 15 in Hawaii adopted the “morally binding” Resolution 2018-01 on Labor Standards for Crew on Fishing Vessels [2]. Progress continued as discussions to draft the CMM labour standards began in 2021, but these efforts encountered numerous obstacles, as varying national and geopolitical interests created significant tensions [3]. Yet, after intense negotiations during the one-week session, the CMM on Crew Labor Standards was finally adopted in Suva, Fiji, during WCPFC 21—a historic first among RFMOs worldwide.
“This is a watershed moment,” said Sihar Silalahi, Oceans Campaigner for Greenpeace Indonesia. “For too long, RFMOs have focused solely on fish stocks and ecosystem management. With growing global attention to the intersection of human rights, sustainable development and climate change issues, WCPFC has broken new ground by integrating labour standards into its sustainable fisheries conservation framework. I can already imagine how this adopted measure, once implemented, could truly transform the lives of thousands of crew members onboard.”
Sihar further emphasized, “The adoption of these standards by WCPFC sets a precedent for other RFMOs. Modern slavery and human trafficking in the seafood supply chain are pressing concerns. Upholding human dignity alongside environmental stewardship is not just timely—it’s essential for crafting solutions that benefit both people and the planet. This is more than a win for crew members; it marks a pivotal step towards securing a sustainable and ethical future for the entire global seafood industry.”
The international measures impacting national regulations
One of the most debated issues before adoption was how to distribute responsibility among stakeholders. Ultimately, WCPFC members endorsed the need for stronger and more equitable recruitment mechanisms. This places significant responsibility on crew-sending countries like Indonesia— the largest supplier of fishing crew—to reform governance over manning agencies.
Reports have frequently highlighted the role of manning agencies in perpetuating forced labor through practices such as the withholding of documents, wage manipulation, deception, and debt bondage [4]. Many manning agencies operate outside the scope of compliance with Indonesian laws, including the Migrant Workers Protection Act (Law 18/2017) and Government Regulation No. 22/2022 on the Placement and Protection of Migrant Commercial Vessel Crews and Migrant Fishing Vessel Crews.
“The governance of migrant workers on fishing vessels must span from recruitment to deployment,” said Hariyanto, Chairperson of the Indonesian Migrant Workers Union (SBMI) as the SBMI’s Head of Delegation in WCPFC 21.
“WCPFC’s adoption of crew labor standards emphasizes the need for manning agencies to register with the WCPFC Secretariat and adhere to licensing regulations. This is a call to action for Indonesia to enforce stricter oversight and ensure compliance with national laws, promoting fair and ethical recruitment practices, including to accelerate the ratification of ILO’s Work in Fishing Convention, 2007 (C188) [5],” Hariyanto concluded.
ENDS
Notes:
[1] The 21st Regular Session of the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission
[2] Resolution 2018-01 on Labor Standards for Crew on Fishing Vessels
[3] Intersessional work on improving labour standards for crew on fishing vessels (2021-2024)
[4] “Seabound: The Journey to Modern Slavery on the High Seas“ (2019) and “Forced Labour at Sea: The Case of Indonesian Migrant Fishers” (2021)
[5] ILO’s Work in Fishing Convention, 2007 (C188)
Contacts:
Hariyanto, Chairperson, Indonesian Migrant Workers Union (SBMI), +62822-9828-0638, [email protected]
Sihar Silalahi, Oceans Campaigner, Greenpeace Indonesia, +62 811-9611-0906, [email protected]
Vela Andapita, Global Communications Coordinator, Beyond Seafood Campaign, Greenpeace Southeast Asia, +62 817 5759 449, [email protected]