Enslaved on 'ghost ships'

April 4th, 2011
CNN

From a thriving industry in southeast Asia, the catch might end up on dinner plates almost anywhere in the world.

But you might be shocked to know how these fish are caught. Sometimes the boats are floating prisons crewed by slaves.

In this video report above, CNN's Dan Rivers explores the story of brothers Pheum Dina and Pheum Bolin, who were lured from Cambodia to work on the fishing boats three years ago. They say they were imprisoned on a Thai trawler for 3 months – with no pay and no chance to escape. They were slaves at sea.

The National Fisheries Association of Thailand, which works closely with the government on fishing-related issues, says it has not received reports of abuse or torture of crew in the past couple of years on Thai boats.

The chairman of the group says most crews are there of their free will. But he acknowledged some recruiters may have made false promises about pay and working conditions to some Burmese or Cambodian workers.

The association's Mana Sripitak also says it educates Thai fishermen about anti-human trafficking laws, warning that there, "could be fine(s) or jail term(s), and their boats could be confiscated if they are found guilty."