Catholic maritime ministry, Thai tuna group strengthen safeguards for seafarers

The Thai Tuna Industry Association and Stella Maris Thailand signed a three-year agreement on Oct. 12 in Bangkok to improve labor protections for fishery workers and seafarers. Stella Maris Thailand serves as the maritime outreach arm of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Thailand.

The memorandum of understanding creates a framework for cooperation on workers' rights, welfare, and working conditions. This includes sharing information, conducting ship visits, responding to grievances, providing rights education, and promoting fair employment practices. The agreement, which runs through Sept. 30, 2029, covers crew members on Thai-flagged purse seine vessels targeting skipjack tuna and foreign transshipment carriers transporting frozen tuna.

Dr. Chanin Chalisarapong, president of the association, stated that protecting workers' rights is essential for a sustainable tuna industry and that Stella Maris Thailand's experience visiting seafarers will help both parties understand issues on the ground. The cooperation also connects international labor standards and digital traceability with direct support for workers. Member companies of the Thai Tuna Industry Association account for more than 90% of Thailand's processed tuna exports.