the reality is that these workers remain cut off from the outside world,” he explained. The isolation inhibits others from knowing what is happening on the sea, though many fishers report exploitative work hours and food shortages once they return to shore. Unfortunately, the public often tends to question the authenticity of these claims. Isolation also means that fishers cannot check their wages in real-time. Much like the Filipino fishers trapped off the coast of China, many remain unaware when Taiwanese agents only partially pay their salaries. Father Guntur has chosen to believe the stories told by the fishers but acknowledges that these fishers lack the necessary tools to gather evidence and break through their isolation. “In the past, isolation was always a major concern when discussing cargo ship crews, but now they have Wi-Fi to stay connected. The same issues also exist in distant water fisheries. Yet here’s the irony: seafood retailers can trace the origin of their products, so why can’t they offer fishers access to Wi-Fi?” Father Guntur reasoned that when captains know that fishers can connect with the outside world via Wi-Fi, they will be more cautious of their treatment towards fishers. Furthermore, fishers are less vulnerable to exploitation by unscrupulous captains or brokers when they have open lines of communication. His conclusion, therefore, is that Wi-Fi access is a crucial tool for preventing forced labor and human trafficking. Father Guntur stated that while installing CCTV on vessels can help gather evidence, specific issues remain undetectable, such as whether brokers pay fishers their full wages. He emphasized that Wi-Fi is irreplaceable for this reason and for supporting fishers’ mental health. “If fishers could use Wi-Fi to stay in touch with their families, they’d feel happier, encouraged, and be more motivated to work. Do you know how many fishers have divorced just because they couldn’t talk to their wives?” Father Guntur has expanded his advocacy for Wi-Fi access on fishing vessels to an international platform. His strategy heavily focuses on Taiwan’s fishing supply chain, mainly how Taiwan’s seafood is sold to 11

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