How 4 AP reporters got the story 'Seafood from Slaves'

NEW YORK (AP) — The Associated Press expose on slavery in Southeast Asia's fishing industry, awarded the Pulitzer Prize for public service Monday, was born of a painstaking investigation by four reporters who documented the harsh treatment of fishermen held captive on a remote island and traced their catch to U.S. supermarkets and restaurants.

Building on earlier reports of forced labor in Southeast Asia's fishing industry, they worked for more than a year to delve into the harvesting and processing of inexpensive shrimp and other seafood sold in the U.S. and elsewhere.

Through interviews, surveillance and shipping records, they tracked the processed seafood to the U.S., eventually pressing suppliers and retailers including Wal-Mart and restaurant chains like Red Lobster about the labor abuses.

Governments can put pressure on Thailand, human rights group can put pressure on them, labor rights organizations, but it's not until the American companies or consumers start demanding change that you start to see change.

The award is the second Pulitzer for Mendoza, who was part of an AP team recognized in 2000 for "The Bridge at No Gun Ri," about the mass killings of South Korean civilians by U.S. troops at the start of the Korean War.