Fisheries Agency's inspections. This undoubtedly becomes a
significant burden for companies with only one or two staff members.”
Civil society groups have suggested inspections should be conducted
immediately upon docking, which Lin believes depends on the specific
circumstances. “The most basic requirement is to ensure that any
complaints are addressed by providing an opportunity to interview crew
members before they disembark, so any issues can be identified. However,
whether inspections can be initiated immediately upon arrival depends on
the situation and requires adjustments in timing based on the
circumstances.”
(3) Participation of civil society groups
The Fisheries Agency has invited NGOs to accompany vessel
inspections since 2021. However, NGOs have reported that during these
visits, they could not actively participate—they were only allowed to
observe and were prohibited from asking questions, taking photos, or
communicating with the crew. Additionally, when issues such as life jacket
availability or problems with cabins, hygiene, or living facilities were
identified, NGOs were not informed of follow-up actions or improvements.
Lin Ding-rong elaborated further on the involvement of civil society
groups in inspections:
“Regarding NGO participation in enforcement and inspections, we
invite interested groups to join us during visits or inspections. The aim
is to use their involvement to refine our inspection and visitation
techniques. However, since government enforcement involves the
exercise of public authority unless explicitly authorized by law, third
parties cannot act on behalf of the government. That being said, their
suggestions provide valuable input for improving our enforcement
skills and practices.”
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