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Abstract
From April to June 2025, fishing activity in the SOUTHCOM AOR was focused near the Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZ) of Peru, Ecuador, and Argentina, driven by productive ocean currents. High volumes of ship-to-ship (STS) meetings and dark activity were observed, especially near EEZ boundaries and Marine Protected Areas (MPAs). Chinese-flagged vessels dominated the activity, with tens of thousands of fishing events.
Three fishing vessels, the GALOPIN_, IKER 1, and PINGTAINRONG678#10, exhibited strong behavioral indicators for Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) fishing practices, particularly prolonged dark activity near EEZs (when AIS is intentionally switched off). The LU RONG YUAN YU fleet, comprising vessels like LU RONG YUAN YU 979, 978, and 977, also conducted numerous fishing operations and were flagged by Windward risk models for IUU practices, including dark activity, suspected forced labor, and transshipments.
Three tankers, SARONIC BAY, HAI XING, and JASON, conducted the most transshipments in the quarter, supporting suspected IUU fishing operations in high-risk areas. These vessels, flagged to Liberia and owned by Lavinia Corporation and Taihua Ship Management Limited, play a key logistical role in these activities.
In the fishing hotspot near Argentina’s EEZ, three Chinese-flagged vessels, LURONGYUANYU979, LURONGYUANYU978, and LURONGYUANYU977, were identified for the highest number of fishing hours and flagged as 'High Risk' for IUU fishing based on Windward's risk models. Notably, Windward’s MAI Expert™ Tool flags the LURONGYUANYU978 for suspected illegal fuel transshipment and serious labor abuse, including a 2021 incident involving a severely injured Indonesian crew member.