Language and culture training has been proposed for Pacific people employed on foreign fishing vessels.
Chinese fishing boats tie up in Suva Photo: RNZ / Philippa Tolley
Ludwig Kumoru, chief executive of the fishing organisation the Parties to the Nauru Agreement (PNA), said misunderstandings were arising between the islanders and those operating the ships.
Training would ensure a better working environment for everyone on the vessels, Mr Kumoru said.
"Some sort of basic language, say Mandarin," he said. "They have to understand the Chinese language. Most of the boats are Asian boats."
Given the different cultural background of the fishing crews, Pacific people needed to know how to relate to their colleagues, he said.