Ocean predators: Squids, Chinese fleets and the geopolitics of high seas fishing
Date of Publication
2023 12:00 AM
Security Theme
IUU Fishing
Keywords
illegal fishing, squid, chinese, chinese fleets, geopolitics of the high seas, sustainability
Description
Distant Water Fishing is a major concern for ocean sustainability and maritime geopolitics, especially for countries fearing incursions into their Exclusive Economic Zone. Whereas some high seas fisheries are overseen by Regional Fisheries Management Organizations, others lack even the most basic regulations. Here, we examine the case of under-regulated squid fishing in the high seas by Chinese Distant Water Fishing vessels operating in close proximity to the Exclusive Economic Zones of Argentina, Chile, Ecuador, and Peru. The rapid growth of Chinese squid fishing fleets and their controversial practices have led to tensions over stock management, as well as costly and geopolitically sensitive naval operations, not only by countries seeking to protect their EEZ, but also by a U.S. government placing Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated fishing within its national security agenda, with Chinese DWF a clear target. This paper examines how China has attempted to resolve these tensions while resisting stricter fisheries regulations, with so far limited results in terms of addressing sustainability and geopolitical concerns. Improving fisheries regulations on the high seas and implementing new WTO rules on fisheries subsidies could help alleviate some of these concerns, while a ban on fishing in the high seas would improve ocean sustainability and reduce maritime tensions over the long term.
Ocean predators: Squids, Chinese fleets and the geopolitics of high seas fishing
Distant Water Fishing is a major concern for ocean sustainability and maritime geopolitics, especially for countries fearing incursions into their Exclusive Economic Zone. Whereas some high seas fisheries are overseen by Regional Fisheries Management Organizations, others lack even the most basic regulations. Here, we examine the case of under-regulated squid fishing in the high seas by Chinese Distant Water Fishing vessels operating in close proximity to the Exclusive Economic Zones of Argentina, Chile, Ecuador, and Peru. The rapid growth of Chinese squid fishing fleets and their controversial practices have led to tensions over stock management, as well as costly and geopolitically sensitive naval operations, not only by countries seeking to protect their EEZ, but also by a U.S. government placing Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated fishing within its national security agenda, with Chinese DWF a clear target. This paper examines how China has attempted to resolve these tensions while resisting stricter fisheries regulations, with so far limited results in terms of addressing sustainability and geopolitical concerns. Improving fisheries regulations on the high seas and implementing new WTO rules on fisheries subsidies could help alleviate some of these concerns, while a ban on fishing in the high seas would improve ocean sustainability and reduce maritime tensions over the long term.
