Correspondence
Letter mailed to Michael Kotok, President of Arctic Fisheries Ltd.
The letter said that the seafood supplier Qingdao Tianyuan Aquatic Products has received persons from the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region of the People’s Republic of China under the state-imposed labor transfer program. The United Nations, human rights organizations and academic experts agree that since 2018, the Chinese government has systematically subjected Xinjiang’s predominantly Muslim ethnic minorities to forced labor across the country via state-sanctioned employment schemes which use coercive methods in worker enrollment. The U.S. has prohibited the importation of goods produced from state-imposed forced labor. The letter asked for comment.
Michael Kotok, President of Arctic Fisheries, emailed a statement: "Approximately two weeks ago, we were made aware of the forthcoming allegations that a plant we used in China was using forced labor. Immediately, we began an internal investigation as best we could to determine the validity of the allegations. We imported pollock from the plant you mention in your letter received today. We have not renewed any contracts with this plant since 2022 and until this matter is properly resolved, we will not. The plant and exporter, of course, have given stern denials and that is where we seem to be stuck – with no proof of their participation or non participation in forced labor practices. I can assure you that both Arctic and the industry wants a 100% non-forced labor product. Can you recommend resources available to us so that we can confirm, with every contract, that the plant we are using is fully compliant with the law? I am hopeful we can eradicate all forced labor in the seafood supply chain."