Hidden Chains

A fisher at the prow of a boat, mooring rope in hand, as the vessel arrives in port in Pattani, August 12, 2016.
A fisher at the prow of a boat, mooring rope in hand, as the vessel arrives in port in Pattani, August 12, 2016. © 2016 Daniel Murphy for Human Rights Watch
A trawler comes into port in Ratsada, Phuket, May 22, 2016.
A trawler comes into port in Ratsada, Phuket, May 22, 2016. © 2016 Daniel Murphy for Human Rights Watch
A young Burmese fisher sorts trash fish onboard a trawler in Laem Sing, Chantaburi, November 11, 2016.
A young Burmese fisher sorts trash fish onboard a trawler in Laem Sing, Chantaburi, November 11, 2016.  © 2016 Daniel Murphy for Human Rights Watch
Burmese port workers sort fish in Ranong city, March 13, 2016.
Burmese port workers sort fish in Ranong city, March 13, 2016.  © 2016 Daniel Murphy for Human Rights Watch
Burmese fishers present their pink cards during a Port-in, Port-out (PIPO) inspection in Laem Sing, Chantaburi, November 11, 2016.
Burmese fishers present their pink cards during a Port-in, Port-out (PIPO) inspection in Laem Sing, Chantaburi, November 11, 2016.  © 2016 Daniel Murphy for Human Rights Watch
A boatswain hands out pink cards to a falling netter crew prior to a PIPO inspection in Laem Ngop, Trat, November 9, 2016. Employers frequently retain, and sometimes seize, identity documents belonging to fishers.
A boatswain hands out pink cards to a falling netter crew prior to a PIPO inspection in Laem Ngop, Trat, November 9, 2016. Employers frequently retain, and sometimes seize, identity documents belonging to fishers.  © 2016 Daniel Murphy for Human Rights Watch
Cambodian fishers are asked by officials to don lifejackets and pose for photos during a PIPO inspection in Laem Ngop, Trat, November 9, 2016.
Cambodian fishers are asked by officials to don lifejackets and pose for photos during a PIPO inspection in Laem Ngop, Trat, November 9, 2016. © 2016 Daniel Murphy for Human Rights Watch
Marine Police and Department of Fisheries officers measure the mesh size on a trawl net during a PIPO inspection in Ranong, March 13, 2016. Thai reforms have primarily focused on addressing overfishing and illegal fishing.
Marine Police and Department of Fisheries officers measure the mesh size on a trawl net during a PIPO inspection in Ranong, March 13, 2016. Thai reforms have primarily focused on addressing overfishing and illegal fishing.  © 2016 Daniel Murphy for Human Rights Watch
A Department of Fisheries official reviews a fishing vessel’s documents during a PIPO inspection in Surat Thani city, September 9, 2016.
A Department of Fisheries official reviews a fishing vessel’s documents during a PIPO inspection in Surat Thani city, September 9, 2016. © 2016 Daniel Murphy for Human Rights Watch
The Provincial Labor Coordination Center for Sea Fishery Workers in Songkhla is one of a nationwide network of offices established by the Ministry of Labour enabling employers to take undocumented fishers for registration, September 28, 2016.
The Provincial Labor Coordination Center for Sea Fishery Workers in Songkhla is one of a nationwide network of offices established by the Ministry of Labour enabling employers to take undocumented fishers for registration, September 28, 2016. © 2016 Daniel Murphy for Human Rights Watch
Baskets of trash fish are piled at a fishmeal processing plant in Ranong, March 12, 2016.
Baskets of trash fish are piled at a fishmeal processing plant in Ranong, March 12, 2016.  © 2016 Daniel Murphy for Human Rights Watch
Fishers prepare a seine net as a vessel returns to port in Ratsada, Phuket, March 10, 2016.
Fishers prepare a seine net as a vessel returns to port in Ratsada, Phuket, March 10, 2016. © 2016 Daniel Murphy for Human Rights Watch
A falling netter departs from a private pier in Laem Ngop, Trat, November 9, 2016.
A falling netter departs from a private pier in Laem Ngop, Trat, November 9, 2016. © 2016 Daniel Murphy for Human Rights Watch
Fishers clean and prepare nets at a port in Phuket, Thailand, March 2016.
Fishers clean and prepare nets at a port in Phuket, Thailand, March 2016.  © 2016 Daniel Murphy for Human Rights Watch
Region / Country