The first Taiwan-flagged long-distance fishing vessel to comply with International Labor Organization (ILO) standards will make its maiden voyage from Yanpu Township, Pingtung County on Oct. 24, a fishing industry representative said Friday.

The Chien Yuan Ming No. 88 is the first vessel to be built in Taiwan following the Fisheries Agency’s introduction of new regulations that make meeting ILO standard C188 a prerequisite for receiving a fishing license.

According to Secretary-General of Taiwan Tuna Longline Association Ho Shih-chieh (何世杰), the 198-ton vessel’s design ensures that fishermen will share cabins with no more than three bunkmates and washroom facilities with no more than five other people.

In addition, Ho said the Chien Yuan Ming No. 88’s crew would have access to hot showers and clean drinking water.

Ho added that the new vessel would show that Taiwan is not negligent with regards to protecting the rights of migrant fishermen.

Taiwan’s fishing industry has been subject to harsh criticism over its poor treatment of its fisheries workforce, which is made up mainly of migrant workers from Southeast Asia.

According to a report released by Goods Produced by Child Labor or Forced Labor in 2020, Taiwan has more than 1,100 vessels in its distant-water fishing fleet — none of which, bar the Chien Yuan Ming No. 88, meet ILO standards.

Source: Focus Taiwan News Channel