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Some crew on the Shin Ji enjoy a smoko weather conditions), relentless verbal abuse, degrading sexual assaults, rationing and locking up of food, denial of medical treatment, and how accident injuries were covered up. Others told them how they were often fed expired fish bait and drank rusty water. Further practices of serious concern included the crews' reports of deliberate, wide-scale and systematic unreported dumping by foreign charter vessels in New Zealand's exclusive economic zone. Notwithstanding the presence of observers on board, crew were regularly ordered to high-grade and dump large quantities of fish when there was no observer coverage or when the observer was asleep or distracted. Crew who have worked on Korean-flagged vessels for other companies have also reported the same practice. They have made statements on oath that up to half the fish caught on any one day is regularly dumped, and this has prompted the Ministry of Fisheries to investigate the operation of the Oyang 75. "In the course of our research we have found the sub-standard conditions and cruel practices on board are also linked to dumping," said Simmons. Crew said that following one 53-hour shift they were so tired and hungry they dumped 10-15 tonnes of fish after the officers and observers were asleep, so they themselves could also sleep and rest. Given this information, we suggest this investigation should be extended into all foreign charter vessels operating in New Zealand waters, because from what we are now hearing, this may only be the tip of a fishing scandal other New Zealand fishing companies who use these FCVs knowingly support. Now, watch out for some New Zealand deepwater fishing industry representatives to duck for cover. My guess is before the government's ministerial enquiry is concluded there will be some big, red faces about and heads must roll. I do hope that the ministerial enquiry will have widely stated terms of reference and be a robust and in-depth investigation into these practices. This cannot be doing New Zealand's reputation as a world-class fishing industry any favours. It is time to clean up our act. Of further concern is that when the crew initially walked off the vessel they sought the assistance of the Department of Labour and Immigration. Both departments reportedly took very little interest in their plight and were actively engaged with the vessel's agents in having the crew removed from New Zealand as quickly as possible. It was only when the matter was brought to the attention of the media that the departments' official interest in the plight of the crew deepened and they embarked on an objective investigation 22 Professional Skipper September/October 2011 This image of the crew hand-lining for food, in Auckland, gives some idea of the state of the ship into the employment conditions and the basis for paying these crewmembers. The crew sensed the problems they had highlighted were far- reaching and ubiquitous, and staff of the departments concerned were reluctant to get involved because it was too messy. It would have been much easier to just ship them out, and some pressure was being applied to get them to return to their ships. It is appalling that these foreign crewmembers who remain in New Zealand have to rely on local Kiwi goodwill to survive. They have, after all, at great risk to themselves and their families, highlighted flagrant breaches of New Zealand legislation. Yet their accommodation and food has not been paid for by those responsible for putting them in this position. Rather, the opposite has occurred. Finally, six of the crew have reported serious workplace injuries that took place aboard the Oyang 75 while they were aboard. These injuries were a result of fatigue and poor work practices aboard the vessel. There is significant doubt as to whether these accidents were reported to Maritime New Zealand, as is required under the applicable legislation. There does not appear to have been any attempt by the master to report these incidents to Maritime NZ. However, a number of crew complaints had been brought to Maritime NZ's attention. These incidents have been assessed against the applicable legislation and brought to the attention of the Korean authorities. This is just another example of where the legislation remains unclear and the operators are able to work the system. If it were a New Zealand-flagged ship, these seafarers would be subject to the Health and Safety in Employment Act 1992. How much more evidence do the relevant ministries need before they address these issues? The temptation is to suggest these practices are limited to the Oyang/Shin Ji vessels. However, the crews are firm in their statements that the same practices occur on other Korean-flagged vessels operating in New Zealand waters, because they themselves have crewed on other vessels. This must call for immediate action. The chief executive of the Seafood Industry Council, Peter Bodeker, said his organisation wanted an investigation. "These allegations have attracted national and international interest and the industry perspective is that this will continue to be a high-profile issue," Bodeker said. On July 14, the Minister of Fisheries, Phil Heatley, announced a ministerial inquiry into foreign charter vessels. Heatley says while the full terms of reference for the inquiry have yet to be established, it is important for the government and our fishing sector to affirm New Zealand's international reputation as a world leader in managing fisheries.