Achieving an equitable cost-sharing arrangement would be advantageous
for all parties involved.”
Ho addressed Father Guntur’s comments regarding the isolation faced
by foreign fishers and the slogan “No Wi-Fi, NO WIFE” adopted by civil
society groups. He asserted emphatically, “We would never permit crew
members to be completely cut off from the outside world during a two-year
contract.” He pointed out that most fishing vessels return to port every five
to six months, and the Regulations for Tuna Longline or Purse Seine
Fishing Vessels Operating in the Pacific Ocean stipulate that longline
fishing vessels are not allowed to remain at sea for more than eight
consecutive months.14 He further explained that this regulation guarantees
that upon returning to port, fishermen can utilize local SIM cards provided
by agents to stay in touch with their families, which he contended should
not be conflated with marital stability issues or Wi-Fi availability.
iii. A Collaborative Approach to Human Rights
Ho explained that advancing human rights within the distant water
fisheries necessitates considerable manpower and resources, especially
given that Taiwan’s fishing industry has long-standing traditions. Adapting
operations to align with evolving human rights standards poses significant
challenges for older captains. Ho envisioned a collaborative approach to
human
rights
initiatives
involving
three
principal
stakeholders:
government, vessel owners, and crew members. He suggested that the
government formulate comprehensive strategies and provide direction to
assist shipowners in modernizing their vessels and improving working
conditions in line with international standards. In response, vessel owners
According to Article 7-1, Section 1 of the Regulations for Tuna Longline or Purse Seine
Fishing Vessels Proceeding to the Pacific Ocean for Fishing Operation: “The maximum
duration for any catching vessel to stay at sea is as follows: Any tuna longline fishing vessel
shall not stay at sea for more than eight consecutive months. For any such vessel that has
operated in the area east of 150°W during the current fishing trip, the maximum duration shall
be ten consecutive months.”
14
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