A proposed rule would address forced labor and other rights.
On Monday, President Biden signed a national security memo that addresses illegal fishing in international waters.
In it, he seeks to increase international coordination to address labor issues in the fishing industry and remove labor abuses from the supply chain. The memo also intends to restrict the market for products of illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing and forced labor.
There is a United Nations Ocean Conference this week, and President Biden’s administration is preparing to announce an alliance with the United Kingdom and Canada to combat fishing that is illegal or goes unreported.
In conjunction with the memo, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration on Monday issued a proposed rule to address forced labor and other labor rights issues in the seafood industry.
Under the new rule, “we are making our definition of IUU fishing consistent with that of the [U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization],” a National Security Council official stated.
As the Lord Leads, Pray with Us…
- For the president and his administration as they seek to curb illegal fishing in international waters.
- For U.S. officials as they endeavor to protect national security.
- For NOAA Administrator Rick Spinrad as his agency cooperates in preventing forced labor.
Sources: The Hill, The White House
