Systemic Failures Behind Migrant Fishers' Tragedies at Sea
A groundbreaking study published in early 2026 has shed light on the harrowing realities faced by migrant fishers, revealing that deaths at sea are not mere accidents but outcomes of deep-rooted systemic issues, particularly unchecked authority wielded by ship captains. Led by Christina Stringer from the University of Auckland's Centre for Research on Modern Slavery, the research titled "Death and disposability of Indonesian migrant fishers at sea" analyzes 55 documented cases between 2015 and 2022, primarily involving Indonesian workers on distant-water fishing vessels flagged or owned by China, Taiwan, and South Korea.
These vessels operate far from shore, creating isolated environments where captains hold near-absolute control over crew members' lives—from rations and medical care to the very recording of deaths. The study employs the concept of necropolitics, coined by philosopher Achille Mbembe, to describe how this power structure renders vulnerable migrant workers "disposable" in pursuit of profit. Active deaths from violence or accidents contrast with "slow deaths" from chronic neglect, such as malnutrition leading to beriberi or untreated infections turning fatal.
In New Zealand's context, while the local fishing industry has shifted away from notorious foreign charter vessels (FCVs), the study's findings resonate strongly. Stringer's prior investigations into NZ's own fisheries highlight persistent vulnerabilities for migrant workers, even as regulations have tightened. This research underscores the need for global reforms to protect those powering one of the world's most dangerous occupations.
Dissecting the 55 Cases: Patterns of Abuse and Neglect
The study's dataset, compiled in collaboration with Indonesia's Serikat Buruh Migran Indonesia (SBMI) union, details tragedies across 47 vessels: 28 Chinese, 17 Taiwanese, and 2 South Korean. Victims, aged 19 to 48 (mostly in their 20s), suffered work accidents (12 cases), violence-induced fatalities, suicides, and illnesses exacerbated by neglect. Notable patterns include swollen bodies from beriberi on the Long Xing 629 (five deaths), infected wounds from beatings (e.g., Supriyanto tortured and misclassified), and overboard falls dismissed without investigation.
Of the 55, only 24 bodies were repatriated; 11 buried at sea, 3 missing, and 20 unaccounted for. Investigations were rare—just four—highlighting governance voids. Peak deaths occurred in 2020 (18 cases), amid pandemic disruptions that worsened isolation. Captains often classified deaths arbitrarily, evading accountability through jurisdictional ambiguities on the high seas.
- Physical abuse: Beatings for low catch quotas or resistance.
- Sexual violence: Reported but under-documented due to stigma.
- Neglect: Withheld food/water, denied medical aid, 18-20 hour shifts.
This disposability stems from recruitment via debt bondage, language barriers, and contract terms binding workers for years, far from oversight.
Necropolitics: Captains as Sovereigns on the High Seas
Necropolitics frames the sea as a space where captains exercise biopolitical control, deciding who eats, rests, or receives care. Isolation amplifies this: vessels months at sea become sovereign zones beyond national laws. Stringer notes, "Power operates through death and the threat of death as instruments of governance." Co-author Sallie Yea adds, "Captains govern life, death, and labor with little oversight."
In practice, this means captains withholding nutrition (causing slow deaths) or misrecording fatalities to avoid scrutiny. Profit trumps safety: quotas demand relentless work, treating humans as expendable. The study critiques flag states' non-ratification of the International Labour Organization's Work in Fishing Convention (C188), which mandates decent conditions but lacks universal adoption.
Expert Alfred Cook from Sharks Pacific calls it a "testament to the lack of accountability across the fishing industry." Without traceability, abusive vessels persist, supplying global markets including New Zealand's seafood imports.
New Zealand's Dark History with Foreign Charter Vessels
New Zealand's fishing sector boomed via FCVs in the 2000s-2010s, chartering foreign-flagged boats crewed by SE Asian migrants for hoki trawling. Reports exposed horrors: Indonesian crews endured beatings, sexual assault, 21-hour days, rotten food, $0 wages. A 2011 University of Auckland exposé by Stringer et al. detailed an "institutional void," prompting a 2012 Ministerial Inquiry.
The inquiry found systemic abuse on 27 FCVs, recommending bans. NZ legislated the Fisheries (Foreign Charter Vessels and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2014, phasing out FCVs by 2017. No FCVs operate now, but legacies linger: migrants still fill onshore processing via Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV).
Prior scandals, like the 2011 Oyang 75 crew walk-off in Lyttelton protesting abuse, fueled change. Yet, Stringer's work shows distant-water fleets—potentially supplying NZ—mirror these risks.
Photo by leyvaine Davids on Unsplash
Current Landscape: Migrant Labor in NZ Fisheries Today
Post-FCV ban, NZ seafood employs ~10,000, mostly Kiwis, with migrants (~20-30%) in processing plants under AEWV. MPI enforces via audits, but challenges persist: high turnover, seasonal demands. A 2021 Ministerial Inquiry urged reducing migrant reliance, improving training.
Globally, fishing claims 100,000+ deaths yearly (FISH Safety Foundation); NZ averages 5-10 fishing fatalities annually (WorkSafe), mostly locals, but migrants vulnerable. No ratified ILO C188 leaves gaps; NZ aligns domestically but lags internationally.
Recent MPI reports emphasize compliance, yet unions like ITF flag ongoing high-seas risks for NZ-flagged vessels abroad.
Statistics Paint a Grim Picture: Deaths and Risks
Globally, fishing's fatality rate is 10x other industries. Stringer's 55 cases: 2020 peak (18 deaths). NZ: 160 commercial fishing deaths 1985-2000; recent WorkSafe data shows steady ~5/year, but underreporting possible for migrants.
- FCV era (pre-2014): Multiple abuse cases, e.g., 2015 captain/crew charged over fisher death.
- Post-ban: Focus shifted onshore; 2023 OpenSeas report notes improved standards but vigilance needed.
Indonesia's 2022 decree bolsters protections, but bilateral pacts (e.g., with Taiwan) stall. NZ consumers import from risky fleets unknowingly.
Stakeholder Perspectives: Unions, Industry, and Government
Unions like SBMI and ITF decry captain impunity; NZ's Maritime Union calls for C188 ratification. Seafood NZ acknowledges past sins, touts reforms: RSE scheme for migrants, wage parity. MPI inspects vessels, but critics say port-state control insufficient for high seas.
Govt response: Post-2012 inquiry, observer mandates, acclimatisation. Yet, no C188; 2021 inquiry recommends Kiwi workforce build-up. Experts urge traceability: "Decline sourcing from abusive vessels" (Cook).
Research roles in labor studies offer paths to address these issues.Pathways to Solutions: Recommendations and Reforms
Study urges: ILO C188 ratification, mandatory death reporting/autopsies, port calls for emergencies, supply chain transparency. NZ could lead via bilateral deals, enhanced MPI observers.
- International cooperation: Indonesia-Taiwan pacts.
- Tech: Vessel tracking, AI monitoring.
- Consumer action: Sustainable labels like MSC.
Western Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (2028 rules) helps regionally. For NZ: Leverage post-FCV lessons for global advocacy.ILO C188 details
Future Outlook: Safeguarding Lives in a High-Risk Industry
As climate change pushes fleets further, risks mount. NZ's clean image demands vigilance; Stringer's work signals urgency. With global scrutiny rising, reforms could save lives, ensure ethical seafood.
Prospects: Indonesia's database, NZ's training push. But without C188 and traceability, disposability persists. Researchers like Stringer pave reform paths; explore research assistant jobs or professor insights for involvement.
Actionable: Support unions, demand transparency. NZ fishing can model safety, honoring Tangaroa while protecting workers.
Conclusion: Time for Accountability on the Waves
The study exposes unchecked captain power as death's enabler, urging NZ and world to act. From NZ's FCV ban to global C188, progress possible. Prioritize lives over quotas for sustainable seas.Explore higher ed jobs in policy/labor research; career advice for impact; rate professors driving change.
