Book Reveals Exploitation of Fish and Fishers

In Fishers and Plunderers, Alastair Couper, Hance D. Smith and Bruno Ciceri focus on the exploitation of fish and fishers alike in a global industry driven by profits, with little consideration given to either resource conservation or human rights. 

With vast over provision of vessels and shortages of fish, labor costs are targeted and young men are trafficked from poor areas onto vessels in virtual slavery. The resultant poverty and debt bonding pushes many towards trafficking drugs and piracy – although the criminality linked to the industry extends far beyond the level of the individual, vessel or fleet.

The book provides evidence of these crimes and injustices, with the authors arguing for regulations which if implemented could protect the rights of fishers across the board. In doing so, the authors shed a much needed light on a largely hidden world. Those wishing to better the lives of fishers both at sea and ashore will find it to be a persuasive and essential guide.

Professor Alastair D. Couper began his career as a Ships Officer and qualified master mariner. He then became a Research Scholar working on Pacific Studies at the Australian National University before returning to the UK to take up academic posts at the University of Durham, followed by the University of Cardiff and the World Maritime University in Sweden. His books include Voyages of Abuse (Pluto Press 1999), Seafarers' Rights (Part One) Oxford University Press 2005 and Sailors and Traders (University of Hawaii Press) 2009. He is on the Boar d of Seafarers' Rights International.
 
Hance D. Smith specializes in Marine Geography and Marine Policy including the development and management of marine fisheries.
 
Father Bruno Ciceri is a representative of the Apostleship of the Sea International (Vatican City), Chairman of the International Christian Maritime Association, and is a member of the Board of Seafarers' Rights International. He has worked for many years caring for seafarers and fishers in several countries of Asia. He has published on sea fishers' conditions and human rights.