There is a global phenomenon that not only threatens the world’s fish stocks; it is a condition is which illiterate and poverty-stricken men are lured with money to become fishermen. Once at sea, these men are often not paid, live in deplorable conditions, are physically abused, and in some cases the abuse is so severe they die. This phenomenon is known as Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated fishing (IUU), or more simply stated, pirate fishing. All at Sea, a video documentary and written report, released on September 29, 2010 in London, England, exposes a multitude of abuses at sea.
Pirate Fishing Trawlers
Pirate fishing operations illegally catch fish and other seafood from seas and oceans that compromises sustainable management. This causes massive damage to the marine ecosystem and to the food security and livelihoods of impoverished coastal communities in developing countries. This has been going on for years.
These illegal fishing trawlers are often characterized by the lowest standards of working conditions and extensive reports of physical and human rights abuses. The Environmental Justice Foundation’s (EJF) investigations have uncovered a plethora of crimes committed on board these illegal fishing vessels.
All at Sea
In EJF’s new report, All at Sea, human rights abuses aboard illegal fishing vessels happens because of the lack of international regulation. Pirate fishing operators perpetuate these abuses with virtual impunity. These men are verbally abused, financially exploited, have horrific accommodations, are physically abused, incarcerated and in many cases left abandoned on a rusty vessel that isn’t safe. Rossen Karavatchev of the International Transport Workers Federation referred to these vessels as “floating prisons” in the video documentary.
In an interview with Suite101 on September 30, 2010, Senior Campaigner, Duncan Copeland comments, “EJF has been investigating the extent and the impacts of illegal fishing in West Africa since 2004, however we first came across the horrendous working conditions for the crews aboard these vessels starting in 2006. Since then we have come across this exploitation time and time again, right up to vessels we have been onboard this year.”
EJF discovered off the coast of Guinea, dozens of rusting fishing trawlers that had been abandoned. On all these vessels men were left without any radio communication or safety equipment, some of them for months, others years. One man who was left at sea for seven months stated, “The company sends a boat with supplies to bring me food like fish and shrimps.”
Flags of Convenience
In All at Sea, flags of convenience are reported as another reason how these pirate fishing trawlers get away with literally murder. In an interview with Suite101, Duncan Copeland stated, “. . . the widespread use of flags of convenience by illegal fishing operations – operated by countries that essentially sell their flags and then are unable or unwilling to control these vessels – mean that the vessel owners can avoid fishing, labour and safety rules. But there is also the huge problem that these vessels are operating out at sea, often in the waters of countries that are unable to patrol their waters, and are out of sight.”
These vessels are at sea for years and the men are brought out to them. Vessels are refueled at sea and fish catches are transferred to larger vessels at sea. Flags of convenience are flown and this means that a company registers its vessel in a country other than its own in order to reduce costs and to avoid regulations in their own country.
In All at Sea, the narrator says, “These vessels operate for one purpose, to maximize their catch and minimize their costs breaking all the laws and controls other vessels abide by.” Panama is identified as being one of the most notorious “flag of convenience states” turning a blind eye to broken laws. They rarely, if ever monitor or inspect fishing vessels that are under their control.
Backed by hidden owners, flags of convenience severely impede efforts to combat pirate fishing and they make it almost impossible to locate and penalize the real owners of fishing vessels who are abusing their crew, committing human rights abuses and fishing illegally.
Abuses and Conditions
Men who are illiterate and desperate for money to support their families in poor nations are recruited with the promise of good pay. Once they are out at sea they discover the vessels are poorly maintained, sanitary conditions are horrendous, sleeping quarters are often nothing more than cardboard mattresses and consumable food is barely tolerable. They are verbally and physically abused, sometimes to the extreme of being murdered.
In one vessel that EJF boarded, they discovered extremely cramped quarters that eight men shared. There were no windows, no fresh air and the only door out led into the wretched-smelling fish hold.
Environmental Justice Foundation
The EJF asserts that there is a way everyone can help make changes. Duncan Copeland shared with Suite101, “EJF is pushing hard for action on this issue, and we can use all the support we can get. For those who are in a position to do so, please put out this story far and wide – the greater awareness there is, the stronger the push for action. Individuals can ask that there governments not only sign the relevant treaties, but also provide global leadership to put pressure on those nations that are at best irresponsible and at worst culpable in allowing the situation to continue. We would also hugely appreciate any support people can provide directly to EJF, from signing one of our ‘Take Action’ letters to direct support. We have a great page on our website that details exactly what people can do.”
Sources:
Environmental Justice Foundation
Karen Stephenson - Karen has written for several newspapers and print media in addition to many online publications. She holds a B.A. in English and an ...
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