Longline
fishing
is a method of fishing where many miles of heavy duty main line is
used. Baited 5 to 6-inch size hooks are attached every hundred or
more feet on secondary lines. The target fish are tuna and swordfish.
Longline fishing
is a heavily regulated industry in the United States. In Hawaii,
lines are limited to maximum of 5 miles long instead of the usual
25 to 50 miles. The very long lines have more potential of hooking
and killing endangered species like turtles and dolphins.
Due to the heavy
regulation, longline fishing in the United States is a dying industry.
In Hawaii, there are probably only about 70 fishing vessels left
operating. What is interesting though is that Filipino fishermen,
a number of whom are from Romblon, mostly man these vessels.
Filipino longline
fishermen are contract workers. Their term is normally one year
and can be renewed. However, when their contract ends, they have
to exit or return to the Philippines but could return immediately.
Some have served for over 15 years.
The life of
a longline fisherman is quite tough. During their year stint, technically
they have to stay on board the 60-foot vessel all the time. This
is so because their category is "on board crew." If caught
by an immigration officer outside their vessel, the owner of the
vessel could be fined $3,000. Often times however, they are allowed
to loiter within the vicinity of the pier. A vessel has normally
four to five crew plus the captain.
Their routine
is 2 to 4 days at the pier and 15 to 20 days at the open sea fishing.
They fish within the Pacific Ocean, in international waters and
can be several hundred miles from port.
Filipino fishermen
are paid $400 to $550 per month and food provided. Most owners pay
incentive bonus of $5 to $10 per ton above certain minimum catch,
normally 5 tons. Some owners even supply a cartoon of cigarette
per person per month. Fishermen who serve as cook are paid the higher
rate of $550 per month.
Other fishermen
hired in Hawaii or other Pacific islands are paid $1,000 to $1,500
per trip. These people strictly fish and are not expected to help
unload catch, clean, or perform preventive maintenance on the boat
when docked at the pier.
In Honolulu,
most of the fishing vessel owners and captains are of Korean ancestry;
some Vietnamese and the rest are Caucasians. The Koreans and Vietnamese
are fairly new immigrants and occasionally problems occur because
of language and culture barriers. A few months ago for example,
the crew of a vessel boycotted because of alleged maltreatment by
their captain and was forced to return to port. Just the other week,
a fisherman was injured at high seas, his left eye smashed and unable
to see, and his nose also accidentally hooked. But despite his condition,
he was forced to unload fish upon arriving at the dock. Filipino
fishermen from other vessels thought it was not right, so they called
an ambulance and the police.
As the holiday
season approaches, the demand for "sashimi" (raw fish)
will skyrocket. In Hawaii during Christmas and New Year, "sashimi"
price could reach as high as $40 per pound. The pressure to catch
the precious tuna is so great that the potential to abuse the fishermen
is also great.
We are proud
of these Filipino fishermen and I am especially proud of the fishermen
from Romblon. They are tough, industrious, tolerant, forgiving,
and able to stand very harsh conditions. We are also thankful that
they contribute to the economy of Hawaii.
