Crew Shortage Makes NZ Operators Hire Filipinosff

A shortage of qualified crews means Nelson inshore fishing operators are regularly putting to sea short-staffed and some are considering recruiting foreigners to plug the gap. Crew shortages were highlighted last week in a Maritime Safety Authority report on the grounding of a fishing boat crewed by Nelson skipper Dennis Wells.

Two Nelson-based companies are now crewing factory trawlers with Filipinos because of labor shortages. Pursuit Fishing director Mark Roach said labor shortages had been hurting smaller operators like himself for about two years. He said his company, which operates two mid-range trawlers and employs 11 crew, had been through 31 employees for just four deckhand positions in the past year alone. Finding competent and committed crew was becoming increasingly difficult, with many simply quitting after their first trip.

Mr. Roach said reasons included lower pay rates linked to declining fish catches, low unemployment, industry pessimism due to an economic downturn, and a general decline in young people's work ethics. “I think it's a sign of the times. There just doesn't seem to be anybody who wants to go and do it.” He said his company spent considerable time contacting probation officers, and trying to juggle junior crew's community work obligations with busy fishing schedules.

A deckhand advertisement placed three weeks ago had attracted just two applicants, with the successful one quitting after a few days. Mr. Roach said shortages frequently resulted in vessels putting to sea a crewmember short, which added to fatigue because of the extra work. On some occasions, trips had been cancelled because of crew shortages, resulting in significant financial losses for the company.

Most Nelson inshore operators were in a similar position, and some were now considering recruiting foreigners, Mr. Roach said.  “We have thought seriously about foreign crew simply because every day you miss, you aren't making any money.”

Port Nelson Fishermen's Association president Darren Guard said crew recruitment and retention was a major problem. He knew of several inshore operators who had inquired about the recruitment process for foreign fishing crews. “It's hard to get qualified and quality guys. Because the good money's gone, you're dealing with a different class of people.”