For developing countries in Asia, the shrimp industry plays an important economic role, however this all comes at a cost. The industry has been associated with severe environmental degradation, excessive use of antibiotics and chemicals, low wages, and, more recently, scandals around modern day slavery and other human rights abuses.
A new report on the Asian shrimp industry by CSR Asia highlights ways to increase opportunity for people involved in fishing for or farming shrimp who are often poorly compensated for their work. The report demonstrates how retailers and distributors can make their supply chains more productive, safe and secure, whilst at the same time increasing incomes for poor communities. This can be done by effectively investing in people to increase productivity, improve quality, reduce disease and protect the environment.
Large retailers and big brand name shrimp product providers need a renewed focus on partnering with small scale fishers, farmers and processors to help them increase their incomes while maintaining the long term viability of the industry. Only by doing this can we create a more environmentally sustainable industry and avoid the abusive labour practices often associated with child labour, human trafficking and other forms of modern day slavery.
The shrimp industry is under increasing scrutiny from international non-governmental organisations and advocacy groups eager to expose malpractices, and connect abuses in local supply chains to multinational brands. ‘Business as usual’ is no longer sustainable for companies which don’t take action. Given that production and processing is dominated by small enterprises where revenues are low (and in some cases falling) we need to look at opportunities to develop more inclusive value chains that can involve the poor and increase benefits accruing to them.
Businesses, consumers, NGOs, development organisations and local governments need to work together to find solutions to problems. There is a great opportunity to turn recent industry scandals into opportunities for new ways of doing business in Asia that create shared value for both large retailers and small producers.
See the full report here.
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