Help Stop Human Rights Abuse in Hawaii's Fisheries
Hawaiian lawmakers are advancing a bill (HB 438) calling for more oversight of the commercial fishing industry after an investigation found hundreds of foreign fishermen confined to boats and some living in subpar conditions.
The bill would require fishing boat owners who want a commercial license in Hawaii to provide state officials with a copy of employment contracts held with every fisherman on board before the license is granted.
Without those contracts, there's no way for state officials to check whether fishermen are getting what they were promised or if an investigation should be launched about possible human trafficking, said Rep. Kaniela Ing, who introduced the proposal.