Lin Ding-rong explained that modifications or new builds must stay within quotas, ensuring they stay within the original tonnage of the decommissioned vessel. However, exceptions are made to balance living space improvement and safety. Lin stated, “We later relaxed the rules, allowing vessel owners to increase tonnage without fully offsetting the tonnage of decommissioned vessels if the modifications improve safety or living spaces. For example, adding flotation boxes or bulbous bows— common needs for small vessel operators—are now permitted.” Lin elaborated on the dilemma: small vessels must meet human rights standards for living spaces and replacement policies, which becomes a conflicting conundrum. “Take, for example, when a vessel is upgraded from 80 tons to 120 tons. Vessels over 100 tons must join a responsible fishing organization and be listed on Japan’s registry to export longlinecaught fish to Japan. This registry limits the number of vessels and controls fishing capacity. Exporting to Japan becomes a significant challenge if you exceed 100 tons but aren’t on the list.”39 iv. Work Schedules The workday is notably long in the context of working hours and shifts during tuna fishing operations at sea. Li Cheng-hsin, a social worker supervisor at the Rerum Novarum Center, recounted his interviews with migrant fishers employed in inshore and coastal fisheries. Many of these fishers had previously worked on distant water fishing vessels. Despite the Taiwanese government’s ongoing efforts to improve facilities and equipment on distant water fishing vessels to make them more humane and worker-friendly, and even though wages have significantly increased, many fishers are unwilling to return to distant water fisheries. The main reason being cited is long working hours. Li explained, “Their daily working hours are often 14 hours with 10 hours of rest, or even 16 hours 39 NHRC (March 16, 2023). “Interview Record with Fisheries Division Chief Lin Ding-rong.” 46