In Beijing’s effort to become a maritime superpower, China’s fishing fleet has become by far the largest in the world – and has become more aggressive, causing tensions around the globe.
The fleet brings millions of tons of seafood a year to feed the country’s expanding middle class. Foreign governments, fishermen and conservation groups have accused the fishing fleet of illegal fishing, including using banned gear and venturing into other countries. That fishing has upset local economies and threatens ecosystems, including around the Galápagos Islands, say affected governments and fishermen.
The Chinese fleet helps the country to have a greater presence at sea, including by building a global network of ports. Ships, equipped with winches and arms and pulling huge nets, can be twice as large as naval patrol vessels, at an average length of almost 200 feet. Fishing crews have contributed to the establishment of island settlements in waters subject to territorial disputes with neighbors.
An analysis of the transponder and registration data of global ships indicates Chinese boats involved in remote water operations – that is, outside a country’s territorial waters – total up to 17,000, according to the London-based researcher Overseas Development Institute. Official data and analyst estimates indicate that China’s closest competitors in the industry, Taiwan and South Korea, have about 2,500 such ships combined.
China’s foreign ministry said legally registered vessels were much smaller at 2,701 as of 2019. China has agreed to limit its fishing vessels to 3,000 in 2017 in response to World Trade Organization efforts to reduce subsidies. contributing to overfishing.