alternative. “CCTV promotes transparency and leverages technology to
ensure regulatory compliance on fishing vessels,” Lin concluded.
Article 71 of ILO-C188 recommends that, “All fishers on board shall
be given reasonable access to communication facilities, to the extent
practicable, at a reasonable cost and not exceeding the full cost to the
fishing vessel owner.” This implies that vessel owners should cover most—
if not all—communication expenses, such as for mobile phones, satellite
phones, or other means, sparing fishers from significant extra costs.
Additionally, the ILO’s Forced Labour Convention highlights that even in
densely populated areas, workers can experience isolation through phone
confiscation, restricted communication, and an inability to contact family
or seek help.
In response, Lin Ding-rong explained that international conventions
do not explicitly mandate Wi-Fi installation on fishing vessels. “The ILO
has established guidelines for facilitating communication between fishers
and their families or shore-based support systems. This is a fundamental
principle. However, it doesn’t specifically stipulate Wi-Fi; it’s just one
possible option, though many see it as an attainable goal,” he said. Lin
highlighted that the Fisheries Agency's strategy involves promoting Wi-Fi
through subsidies, focusing on more cost-effective solutions. In practice,
more vessels have been outfitted with Wi-Fi capabilities. He pointed out
that enforcing Wi-Fi as a requirement for all offshore vessels necessitates
further policy assessment, as larger fishing enterprises with stable financial
resources may easily absorb the additional communication costs. In
contrast, smaller, family-run fishing operations might find such expenses
extremely difficult to shoulder.
Shih Yin-tai, head of the Foreign Affairs Division at the Keelung City
Police Bureau, views the situation from the standpoint of law enforcement.
He advocates for implementing Wi-Fi on fishing vessels to aid crime
investigations. Furthermore, he states, “If vessels at sea are equipped with
Wi-Fi, fishers can reach out for assistance, allowing the police to initiate a
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