September 17, 2024 — A group of Filipino fishermen are continuing to deal with the fallout of allegedly being abandoned by their employer in a port in the U.S. state of Washington.
The group of Filipino fishermen, dubbed the “United 6,” claim they were abandoned at Westport Marina, Washington, after signing on to work for California-based McAdam’s Fish. The fishermen claim they worked a tuna season for the company and were then left at the dock when the fishing boats docked at the marina in September 2023.
According to the United 6, the fishermen signed for employment with Manila, Philippines-based hiring agency Pescadores International and worked the tuna season for four months in the Pacific Ocean. At the end of the season, the boats docked at the marina to unload, after which all but one captain left the boats, leaving 24 Filipino fishermen on board unable to come ashore as they did not have U.S. visas.