had to be legally registered companies on a publicly available registry. “I will send them a message, saying that I need fishers. For example, we’ll let them know if the captain needs someone to gut or ice fish. Then they will send me a list of applicants, and I’ll filter it to check if the crew member has experience and if the experience is sufficient, etc. As long as we have the contact details, we will also directly contact the crew member to ask if they will join the vessel. If they agree, once the necessary documents—passport, crew certificate, and health check—are ready, we will then send them to the local agency, which will forward them to us.” 22 (1) Foreign recruitment agencies Ms. Li from the recruitment agency mentioned that they check whether the fees charged by local recruitment agencies are reasonable, paying particular attention to any advances taken by the crew. They will investigate whether the local agency is overcharging, and red flags are raised if they see crew members have taken large advances: “I’m more concerned whether crew members have taken out such a large advance. Therefore, when the crew members arrive, I will ask them, 'Did you really borrow this much? If not, let me know, and I’ll raise the issue with the agency.'” Filipino fisher, Reyne Jude Dignes, when interviewed, provided a different story. He said that before boarding the ship, the recruitment agency in his home country charged him a service fee of US$950, and told him he would get US$400 back once his contract was completed. His contract with the Filipino agency divided his salary into three parts. Every month, the company would send money to his family’s bank account; his pocket money while on board would only be provided when the ship docked, and the remaining portion would be sent to the agency. He would NHRC (March 17, 2023). “Interview Record with Ms. Li from Jin Hui Wang Fishery Co., Ltd.” 22 30