1. Increased operational costs for the distant water fishing industry and communication with vessel operators Director Lin acknowledged that the action plan involves structural changes to the industry, particularly regarding the wage levels of migrant fishers hired through overseas employment mechanisms. These wages remain significantly lower than those of migrant workers employed under Taiwan’s Labor Standards Act. “We adjusted minimum wages to improve the labor conditions of migrant fishers and ensure fair treatment. This policy has increased operating costs for the distant water fishing industry. We estimate this reform adds at least NT$1.4 billion annually to the industry’s expenses. In a tough economic climate for the fishing industry, vessel operators are understandably resistant to these reforms. Communicating and negotiating with them has been one of the most significant challenges for the Fisheries Agency.” 2. Enforcement capacity: Labor inspectors as non-civil servants Addressing criticisms of inadequate enforcement, the Action Plan prioritized enhancing inspection capacity by recruiting additional labor inspectors. Director Lin noted, “The personnel we secured are not formal civil servants but contract or temporary staff. They lack familiarity with the public administration system, industry specifics, and the essence of labor inspections, requiring training from the ground up. It takes time for these inspectors to fully integrate and perform efficiently. The initial turnover rate for newly recruited inspectors has also been relatively high. This highlights the challenge of building a robust and sustainable enforcement team under current resource constraints. 3. Port State Control challenges due to diplomatic status 104