
Taiwan's High Seas Hell
The News Lens FeatureTaiwan's enormous high seas fishing industry is responsible for much of the world's tuna catch. It's also come under fire for illegal fishing, human trafficking, and abuse of its migrant workforce.
Table of contents

Taiwan's High Seas Fishing Vessels Lost 13 Migrant Fishermen in February
Taiwan's Council of Agriculture says the country is ready for an upcoming European investigation. Two recent incidents say otherwise.

Legislator Slams 'Embarrassing' Failure to Protect Taiwan's Migrant Fishermen
KMT Legislator Jason Hsu accused top officials of inaction in a contentious meeting.

Taiwan’s Tuna Vessels Caught Illegally Shark Finning, Killing Dolphins & Turtles
Taiwan's Fisheries Agency is investigating a series of blood-curdling testimonials from crew members.

Taiwan's Fishing Captains Protest in Defense of Embattled Industry
Fishermen say recent fines levied by the government are excessive. NGOs say they are not harsh enough.

Taiwanese Fishing Vessels Fined, Suspended for Work Abuse, Shark Finning
Taiwan has acted to fine the owner and captain of a vessel involved in various labor abuses – and allegedly shark finning as well – though the punishments are unlikely to be viewed as much of a deterrent for others in the industry.

New Zealand Accuses Taiwanese Fishing Vessel of Regulatory Breaches
Taiwan's distant water fishing industry just can't seem to get its act together.

Fishery Protests Kick Off Human Trafficking Prevention Conference
A Taiwanese vessel docked in South Africa recently became the first to ever be detained under a new UN convention preventing labor abuse at sea. In Taipei, advocates are fed up.

Abused by Employer, an Indonesian Fisherman Appeals to Taiwan's Parliament
An Indonesian fisherman complained of being given the cold shoulder by the local labor office despite several complaints of abuse.

How Taiwan’s Seafood Sector Can Steer Toward Ethical Labor Standards
Simple measures can make a world of difference to the lives of thousands of workers aboard Taiwan's deep-sea fishing fleet.

Taiwan Seafood Trader FCF Faces Financial Pressure on Links to Rights Abuses
The market could force reluctant Taiwanese seafood traders to address concerns over complicity in human rights abuses.