14 July 2020

[...]

Eritara Aati Kaierua [...] sign[ed] up to become fisheries observer[...]documenting what's hauled in, checking the crews are obeying the rules.

But a few weeks into the voyage, the 40-year-old father of four was dead[...].

[...]

[...] [F]isheries observer [...] said the death highlighted the danger and lack of protections [...] and how years of efforts to tighten regulations to protect the vulnerable observer workforce have largely fallen flat.

[...]

One regional body involved with observer training and standards in the region is the Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency. Its director general, Manu Tupou Roosen, said safety was always a priority.

[...]

But these measures are not applied or enforced equally across the agency's 17 member countries, most of them small and with little resource. RNZ Pacific has been told by two people familiar with the industry that much of this equipment doesn't make it to the observers.

[...]

One solution touted is the use of technology instead of observers to monitor foreign fishing fleets, either through cameras, sensors or other means.

[...]

But not everyone is sold on the idea. Fishing companies are resisting moves to install cameras over the cost involved, while sub-regional groups like the Parties to the Nauru Agreement are also opposed.

[...]