Taiwan is actively safeguarding the rights and benefits of migrant crew members and there is no tolerate for allegation made under false pretenses
- Update
- 2024-04-28
- hit
- 6969
With respect to the documentary "Before you eat" released by Greenpeace Foundation (Greenpeace) on the internet, Taiwan Fisheries Agency (TFA) would like to emphasize that the documentary features footage from Indonesian fishers’union "Serikat Buruh Migran Indonesia" (SBMI) regarding the death of Indonesian crew members on fishing vessels in 2020. However, the documentary was edited and interspersed with footage of fishing vessels flying Taiwanese flag, which potentially led to a misrepresentation that Taiwanese vessels were involved in such incidents. Such edition and misrepresentation also potentially defamed the image and reputation of Taiwan's distant water fisheries. While TFA is responsible for Taiwan's fisheries, the agency opposes against this misrepresentation and requires that Greenpeace shall cautiously produce its documentary with accurate information. The agency urged that Greenpeace shall immediately stop broadcasting the documentary and remake it with proper attention to accuracy.
TFA noted that Greenpeace edited the footage of Taiwanese fishing vessels, depicting an incident where an Indonesian crew member died and was thrown into sea from a Chinese fishing vessel in 2020. This inappropriate edition could lead to the international community’s misinterpretation of the video and generate a negative impact to Taiwan’s distant water fisheries. Regarding the authenticity of the documentary, representatives of Taiwan’s distant water fisheries, with a responsible and fact-based approach, interviewed Mr. Ilyas Pangestu, the chairman of the Indonesian fishers' union (Serikat Pekerja Perikanan Indonesia, SPPI), who participated in the rescue operation in 2020, during the "2024 International Forum on Fisheries and Human Rights" held on April 16th, 2024. Mr. Ilyas Pangestu clarified that the incident indeed occurred on a Chinese fishing vessel, rather than a Taiwanese vessel. In addition, during his visit to the facilities for fishers at Keelung District Fishermen's Association on April 18, 2024, he reiterated his statement through a video (the video can be found on the Keelung District Fishermen's Association Facebook page https://reurl.cc/KepX2q ).
TFA emphasized that the agency profoundly respects Greenpeace's advocacy on environmental and human rights issues. However, it is inappropriate to edit Taiwanese fishing vessels’ footage into a video which reveals human rights violations on vessels flying other countries’flags.
In the end, TFA also emphasized that migrant crew members are important partners to Taiwan's distant water fisheries. Taiwan’s government continues to communicate with stakeholders of the industry to gradually enhance the working and living condition for crew members. The agency also looks forward to the involvement of civil society organizations in supervising the sectors of safeguarding the rights and benefits of migrant crew members. Simultaneously, Taiwan’s government recognizes the challenges of international distant water fisheries. Therefore, the government will continue assisting the industry in their development, collectively enhancing the rights and benefits of migrant crew members and ensuring the sustainability of Taiwan's fisheries.
Contact person: Xue Poyuan
Email: poyuan0720@ms1.fa.gov.tw
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