Radio New Zealand - Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa

Seminar to hear about abuse of foreign fishing crews

Updated at 9:22 am on 11 August 2011

University of Auckland researchers will present evidence of what they say are years of systematic abuse of crew aboard foreign charter fishing vessels.

The report, to be presented to a seminar on Thursday, reveals allegations of physical, mental and sexual abuse aboard some boats.

It is mostly based on interviews conducted with crew members of the South Korean fishing trawler, Oyang 70, which sank in 2010 claiming six lives.

Researchers also interviewed crew from the vessel that replaced it, Oyang 75.

The 32 crew members on that vessel quit when it docked in Lyttelton in June and have refused to return to work.

One of the researchers, Glenn Simmons, says the evidence presented will include a 2-minute video clip in which the crew talk about what they experienced and how they feel in their own words.

He says the information is likely to shock many.

The Sajo Oyang Corporation, responsible for the South Korean trawlers, says the allegations are unsubstantiated.

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