People Behind Seafarers Ministry - Commercial Fishermen

This article is inspired by the Seafarers Ministry.  Dr. Christopher Evans and Judy Evans, together with local church partnerships have been reaching out to commercial fishermen since the beginning of this year.  Their selfless acts have given fishermen renewal and refreshment and renewed spiritual faith.  Who are the commercial fishermen? 

There are 100's of fishing vessels docked between piers 17-38 on Oahu, prepping fish to be sold in the city auction at any given time.  2012 Seafood Council reports commercial Honolulu fishing is considered "low volume" (31st in the nation) but "high value" fishery yielding 59.4 million (8th in the nation).  Each boat has an average of 5-8 fishermen coming from different Asia and Pacific countries such as Thailand, Indonesia, Cambodia, American Samoa and Philippines, where majority of them are. 

These fishermen are contract workers, who through agencies, find their way to make a living.  For 8 months to almost one year, these fishermen never set foot back their homes.  They will be fishing, going back and forth to nearby docks to sell their catch.  Sadly, while their earnings is better after multiplied in their home currency, they only earn below minimum wage, based on U.S. standards.  The work in the ocean is tireless, often without sleep.  Fishermen are at the mercy of their captain and find themselves working straight 2-3 days with little break or sleep in between.  Each vessel must fill its freezer quickly, for the sooner they are back at the auction block, the greater value the fish brings. 

The 2012 Occupational Outlook Handbookof the United States Department of Labor declares that the median pay of a fisherman is $33,430 per year.  These foreign workers, working through one-year contracts, are willing to work for relatively low wages about $400 to $500 a month.   Low pay is not the only attraction for vessel owners to seek such workers.  According to Nic Musico, a member of the civil rights organization Filipino Coalition for Solidarity, another reason is that “there has not been a new (local) crew trained.”  It is hard work and workers have to be constantly trained. 

Immigration District Director, Donald A. Radcliffe, declared in October, 2012 that “officials are no longer allowing foreign long line fishermen with transit visas into Hawaii” or any US port except Guam.  Because of this, vessel owners recruit overseas workers through agencies that channel individuals to this exempted port.  The immigration status of these workers is complicated.  Because they are not recognized as visitors, or as having “working visas,”  Immigration services has imposed policies that they are not to leave the boat when they dock in US ports.  Cancellation of contract, fines and deportation are some consequences for those who violate these policies.      

Being away from their homes for a long time, not able to communicate regularly with their family most of the time, imprisoned in their boats while docked, low wages and sleep deprivation are enough to kill any one’s spirit.  Two months ago, a charter boat captain was stabbed by a billfish on the chest, easily blamed as a defensive move by the fish but in reality, this is a reckless move of a fisherman whose judgment has been impaired.  The risks are high and lives are at stake.   The popularity of the reality TV show Deadliest Catch and Swords: Life on the Line  do not help improve the safety practices of commercial fishing at all.  Popular Mechanics entitled their article, “Unacceptable Risk: Why Commercial Fishing Is The Deadliest Job in America” and a portion of their observation states this:

 “Nearly every year the Bureau of Labor Statistic ranks commercial fishing as America’s most lethal job. Adjusted to the size of the workforce, the 2008 fatality rate for U.S. fishermen was five times that of truck drivers, eight times that of police officers and 19 times that of firefighters... an ‘angry ocean’ is almost never the primary cause of fatal accidents.  Instead, the industry’s high mortality rate is the result of an unromantic but entirely preventable mix of flawed decision-making, inadequate survival training, poorly maintained safety equipment and a lack of government oversight that allows U.S. fishing boats to sink at the rate of one every three days."

              The life of a fishermen is understated in Hawaii many times.  They hardly make the news but the islands enjoy their catch.  The Seafarers ministry exists to minister to commercial fishermen by lifting their souls, meeting their physical needs and connecting them to Jesus.  If at any time you need to reach out to this silent minority, call Dr. Chris Evans at (808) 772-1423.  You may also check their facebook.  Thank you for praying for the seafarers of Honolulu.