Yuzhmorrybflot is one of four major enterprises in the fishing industry of Russia’s Far East operating under the umbrella of the Dobroflot group of companies.1 The Yuzhmorrybflot fish processing plant was established in 1925 and is located in Nakhodka, a port city on the Trudny Peninsula that extends into Nakhodka Bay on the Sea of Japan.2 In 2019, one worker wrote in a review: “It’s not for weaklings. Good living conditions in the dormitory, they feed well. If you want to earn - you'll have to work much, fast and quality. They fine for many things. But you can work.”3
In 2019, a former electrician at Yuzhmorrybflot, E.V. Stein, won a wrongful termination lawsuit against the company.4 The plaintiff was coerced into resigning under pressure from his supervisor, who threatened dismissal for alleged labor discipline violations, according to the court decision.5 “During his time at Yuzhmorrybflot JSC,” the decision states, “he and his team regularly encountered labor standard violations, including working at height without proper authorization… [and when he raised concerns,] he was repeatedly threatened with dismissal ‘under the article.’”6
“Every evening they cook fish meal and the stench reaches our house,” said one neighbor of the plant on Yandex Maps on September 18, 2019.7
In 2021, a local resident wrote in a comment on Yandex Maps: “Horrible stench. Respected management of ‘GC Dobroflot’, please consider constructing air purification facilities. The air carries an extremely unpleasant odor.”8 That August, Yuzhmorrybflot’s catch was banned from export to China after a failed inspection and the discovery of the Covid-19 virus on the fish.9 In 2015, 2016, 2020, and 2022, both Yuzhmorrybflot and its parent company Dobroflot were accused of fish smuggling and tax evasion.10 The co-owner and CEO of both Yuzhmorrybflot and Dobroflot, Alexander Efremov, had been repeatedly linked to regulatory violations and customs irregularities.11 He was rumored to have close ties with Vice Prime Minister of the Russian Far East, Yury Trutnev, which afforded him a degree of political immunity, according to critics.12 In 2023, residents of Bolshoy Kamen in the Primorye region complained about a persistent foul odor they attributed to Dobroflot’s processing plant.13 An inspection confirmed that the company’s waste treatment facilities were not up to standard.14 Untreated fish waste was being discharged into the town’s sewage system.15 Following numerous complaints, the plant’s operations were temporarily suspended.16
Numerous complaints from users who said they were former employees appeared on job review forums. “Don’t even think about working at Yuzhmorrybflot. They don’t pay salaries,” said one commenter in 2023.17 “They promise a 4/2 work schedule, but in reality you work every day—12 hours a day, no days off,” said another 2023 review. “The equipment was faulty: bald tires, broken driveshaft, dead hydraulic choke. They told me to just top off the hydraulics and carry on. The fines? You could write a novel. You don’t even know where to start: didn’t wash your hands—1,000 rubles; didn’t close the gate—2,000 rubles.”18
“The factory staff leaves much to be desired,” said a 2024 review. “There’s a system of fines. The equipment is old and constantly breaks. It’s very cold and damp in the workshop.”19
Dobroflot’s fleet included 16 fishing vessels, three processing factory ships—including Vsevolod Sibirtsev, the largest of its kind in Russia—and four refrigerated ships.
Kostroma: In 2022, a sailor from Kaliningrad reported witnessing drug use aboard the Dobroflot vessel Kostroma.20 After his complaint to CEO Alex Efremov went unanswered, he contacted SWAT police, who raided the ship and confiscated the drugs.21 In retaliation, the sailor was fired, accused of theft, and jailed.22 He was allegedly coerced into accepting a plea deal.23
Kalinovka: On July 9, 2020, a sailor was permanently disabled while working on one of Dobroflot’s vessels.24 During a voyage in the Russian Far East, a loose part from the ship struck the sailor, tearing off his finger.25 Despite being in shock, he was forced to sign documents admitting guilt.26 He was not brought ashore until 10 days later, by which time he required a partial arm amputation.27 He received roughly $600 in insurance and later sued the company.28
Kapitan Efremov (Factory ship):
Zaliv Vostok (Factory ship): On March 13, 2021, the Far Eastern Regional Search and Rescue Unit evacuated a female crew member during a medical emergency while the vessel was fishing at least 180 miles from Magadan in the Sea of Okhotsk.29
Vsevolod Sibirtsev (Factory ship): On May 2, 2020, an explosion on the factory ship Vsevolod Sibirtsev killed a male welder and injured a female welder.30 Russia’s Investigative Committee opened a criminal case citing violations of labor safety regulations resulting in death through negligence.31 Two months later, in the Pacific Ocean near Shikotan Island, a process equipment mechanic was caught under an autoclave trolley on the ship and died.32 On July 25, 2023, in the Sea of Okhotsk, another process equipment mechanic lost his footing while working on the upper deck and fell into the hold. He died from his injuries.33