Within Just 6 Months, Eighty-three Fishermen Disappeared At Sea

Within a period of 6 months between December 2020 and June 2021, there were forty-two accidents experienced by fishing boats in Indonesian waters.

Accidents and disasters experienced by Indonesian fishermen when carrying out fishing activities are very high, and in most cases, fishermen are putting their lives in danger for next to nothing.

Interestingly, the majority of these accidents are experienced by fishing boats under ten Gross Tonne in size. DFW Indonesia calls out for technical ministries such as the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries, and the Ministry of Transportation to improve strategies for protecting small fishermen in order to reduce the number of victims who have no choice but to make a living in the middle of the ocean.

The National Coordinator of Destructive Fishing Watch Indonesia, Moh Abdi Suhufan said that due to marine disasters and accidents experienced by fishing boats, there were many casualties experienced.

"From the forty-two incidents, we recorded 142 victims with details of eighty-three missing, fourteen dead, and forty-two survivors.

"On average, in one month there are 7 incidents experienced by fishermen and they must have claimed victims," said Abdi.

"They work without self-protection, minimal means of safety, and some without insurance," Abdi continued.

Many fishermen are reportedly fearing for their ill-protected lives every single day. The gruesome reality of it is that they have no choice but to continue on, even with wages being witheld, elongated periods of forced labour, a deprivation from food, clean water, and sleep, and no certainty that they'll make it home on time, or at all.

There is a fisherman's insurance program but it is full of bureaucracy and procedural so that it is difficult to access. "Implementation of Law No. 7/2016 concerning the protection of fishermen, which is strengthened by Government Regulation no. 27.2021 concerning the implementation of the marine and fisheries sector has not been optimally implemented," Abdi exclaimed.

The fisherman's insurance program isn't even widely known by Indonesian fishermen due to the lack of socialisation by the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries, Local Governments, and insurance companies to segment fishermen and crew members.

Abdi stated that: "Many fishermen and fishing boat crews do not know about labor insurance programs and schemes for fishermen and crew members as a group of non-wage workers."

"We found a Wakatobi fisherman named Kasir currently lying helpless, and there is no chance of getting help because the insurance program that allows him to access is facing administrative problems."

Abdi continued: "Insurance providers need to work together with the Indonesian Fishermen Association or the Fisheries Crew Union to increase the reach of insurance participation for fishermen and crew members, especially in areas and fishing centers in remote locations."

In the meantime, DFW Indonesia researcher Subhan Usman asked the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries to increase attention and intervention for small and traditional fishing groups.

"We are worried that the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries is currently focusing on developing large-scale fisheries or industries because it is pursuing the target of Non-Tax State Revenue from the fisheries sector," said Subhan.

Small-scale fisheries are actually a large part of Indonesia's fisheries business.

"99.16% of our fishing fleet structure is below 30 Gross Tonne, they are a vulnerable group so protection must be increased," said Subhan.

Pressure must be pushed onto the fishing industry to do more about human rights abuses, but until that time has come, buying fish can actually be unintentionally harmful to the fishermen who experience exploitative abuse every single day.

This is your responsibility too so make sure you know what fish you consume.