Chinese squid-fishing crews, operating far from the public eye, face harrowing conditions as they embark on lengthy voyages to meet the world’s growing demand for calamari. This article delves into the untold stories of these crews, who seek to escape beatings and more while enduring harsh circumstances aboard distant-water fishing ships.
The Brutal Reality
Working Conditions
Life aboard Chinese squid ships is far from ordinary. Crew members endure grueling workdays that stretch for 15 hours, six days a week. Their cramped quarters meant for half the number of occupants force ten men to share a room. Beatings, injuries, malnutrition, and illness are commonplace, according to firsthand accounts.
Forced Isolation
Squid ship crew members spend up to two years almost entirely at sea, deprived of internet or phone signals. This isolation only exacerbates the dire circumstances they face.
International Attention
Illegal Seafood Trade
China has garnered notoriety as the world’s worst purveyor of illegally caught seafood. While efforts have been made to curb these violations, the issue of human rights abuses on these ships remains less explored, with abuses continuing.
Escapes and Reporting
In some instances, crew members have managed to escape and report the conditions themselves. In 2014, 28 African crew members fled a Chinese squid ship, alleging mistreatment, including beatings and chaining.
Exposing Labor Abuses
Recruitment Tactics
China’s distant-water fishing fleet relies heavily on recruitment from rural and inland regions of the country. Desperate individuals are often lured with promises of lucrative contracts but find themselves paying exorbitant fees upfront.
Misleading Contracts
Confusing or misleading contracts have resulted in numerous court cases, making it virtually impossible for workers to collect unpaid wages and injury compensation.
Efforts to Address the Issue
Government Initiatives
The Chinese government has initiated efforts to prevent strikes, mutinies, and violence on fishing ships. Some provinces have medical ships shadowing distant-water fleets to provide assistance to sick crew members.
Mental Health and Morale
In an attempt to address mental health issues, the Chinese government created a Communist Party chapter for fishing-boat workers abroad to improve their morale and provide support.
Chinese squid-fishing crews seeking to escape beatings and more face daunting challenges as they toil far from public view. While efforts have been made to address these issues, many of these crew members continue to endure inhumane conditions as they strive to meet the world’s demand for calamari.
The Search for Solutions: Improving Conditions for Fishing Crews
What is the Chinese Squid Fleet?
China boasts the largest distant-water fishing fleet globally, specializing in capturing vast quantities of seafood each year, with a significant emphasis on squid. However, beneath its impressive catch statistics lies a dark underbelly characterized by labor trafficking, harsh working conditions, and instances of violence.
What Happened to the Chinese Fleet?
The Chinese Navy’s 19th-century fleet, modernized over time, faced destruction during the first Sino-Japanese War. However, this historical event has provided invaluable lessons for contemporary Chinese historians and military strategists. Today, visitors to Yokosuka Naval Base near Tokyo can appreciate its remarkable century-old dry-docks, a testament to the enduring legacy of naval history.
How Big is China’s Fishing Fleet?
China boasts the world’s largest fishing fleet, with an estimated count of 564,000 vessels. Remarkably, this vast fleet has undergone significant downsizing, witnessing a reduction of approximately 47 percent since 2013 when it numbered a staggering 1,072,000 vessels.
Why Did China Burn Its Fleet?
Historians offer diverse explanations for this intriguing historical event. Some point to the Yongle Emperor’s engagement in a land war against the Mongols, during which the navy played an insignificant role. Others contend that the substantial expenses incurred by the Treasure Fleet’s expeditions far exceeded the tangible treasures they brought back.
Why the Chinese Ended Their Sea Exploration?
The era of Chinese sea exploration concluded with the final expedition in 1431, after which these ambitious voyages were halted. Several factors contributed to this decision. The substantial cost of these expeditions faced opposition from some officials. Additionally, a shift in focus towards China’s northern frontier and interactions with the Mongols led to a reevaluation of resource allocation.
When Did China Burn Their Fleet?
By 1525, China’s remarkable "Treasure Fleet" ships, some five times the size of contemporary European vessels, had met a decisive fate. The government oversaw the destruction of these impressive ships, either through deliberate burning or abandonment to decay in their docks.
