Indonesian fishermen’s action ends “high seas slavery”

Friday, April 12th, 2013

The action of 32 Indonesian fishermen working on Korean registered fishing vessels has been credited with forcing the New Zealand government to radically change legislation controlling the way foreign registered fishing vessels operate in New Zealand waters and the way in which and crews for these vessels are recruited.

The Jakarta Post carried the story of the 32 Indonesian fishermen who deserted the South Korean deep-sea trawler Oyang 75 in Christchurch in June 2011.

Dr. Ani Kartikasari who was the Christchurch Indonesian Society president at the time describes how she found the 32 men shivering in a church. “They were very cold, most wearing cotton jackets,” she said.

“The heaters on the walls were on but their faces could not hide the exhaustion and fatigue from the previous sleepless night when they discussed their plight together.”

They have been hailed as heroes. “Their actions have cleared the path for other crews to follow and exposed the wrongs so many have suffered,” said the Rev. Jolyon White, social justice enabler for the Anglican Church.

His assessment was echoed by Christchurch Indonesian Society president “Nonie” Elyana Thenu and her predecessor, Ani Kartikasari. “They are brave men, heroes,” they said. “What they’ve done has made a difference.”

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