** A trying journey: reflections on fishing in the South Sea and its human challenges **
The story of Kyle and Maryanne Webb, an American-British couple who have met a crew of Sri Lankan fishermen in difficulty in the Indian Ocean, highlights tragic realities that many sailors live around the world. While sailing near Saya de Malha’s bench, they witnessed a palpable distress among these fishermen who, after two weeks at sea, had barely managed to provide for their food needs. This meeting raises crucial questions on the living and working conditions of modern sailors, deepening the discussion on the issues related to fishing in such remote areas.
### The context of sea fishing
The bench of Saya de Malha, located hundreds of kilometers from the coast, is recognized for its fishery riches, but its distance also makes it dangerous. The fishermen who venture there face immense challenges, including opposing weather conditions and a lack of resources. Fishing is often presented as one of the most dangerous professions in the world, with a tragic phenomenon that deserves to be mentioned: more than 100,000 fishermen lose their lives each year due to accidents or precarious working conditions.
This reality is exacerbated by the use of transhipment, which allows ships to stay at sea longer by transferring their cargo to other ships, often refrigerated. Although this practice can be economically advantageous, it leads to serious repercussions for the crew. Indeed, the spacing of returns to the port limits their access to adequate provisions, making their situation even more precarious.
### The rise of humanitarian claims
Testimonies obeyed by hunger and exhaustion, such as those encountered by webb and the Monaco Explorations research vessel, highlight the growing discomfort among fishermen. A report by the NGO Stella Maris documents deplorable working conditions, where crews are subject to exhausting working hours for derisory wages. This observation not only underlines a problem of overexploitation, but also a growing concern about the health of sailors, often in the grip of preventable diseases such as the Beriberé, which finds its roots in prolonged malnutrition.
The existence of these diseases, formerly considered to be eradicated in many societies, raises questions about the systemic negligence from which these workers suffer. What does this lack of attention for human lives involved in an essential, but often invisible industry mean?
### A call to collective responsibility
The meeting of webbs with Sri Lankan fishermen, followed by the support offered by the S.A crew. AGULHAS II, generates a questioning of the role of actors in the international community in the face of these issues. Humanitarian support, although essential, can only temporarily overcome wider questions of governments and intervention of governments. What are the lasting solutions to bring to this complex situation?
It is imperative to consider better supervision and stricter regulations concerning sea working practices. This could include reinforced safety standards, better access to health services and suitable training for sailors. Likewise, a dialogue between nations engaged in fishing – both on demand and supply – could open significant improvement avenues.
### Conclusion
The stories such as that of the webb remind us that behind each economic production, there are human lives. The isolation of fishermen at the South Sea illustrates not only the challenges of the fishing industry, but also a real call for humanity and solidarity. A collective reflection around their working conditions, their safety and their well-being could open the way to protective measures, making their travels at sea less perilous and their profession more worthy. Bridges built by empathy and intergovernmental cooperation could transform these tragic experiences into a positive turning point for many fishermen in the world.