The Chinese Distant-Water Fleet in the Southwestern Indian Ocean

The latest report from the Environmental Justice Foundation (EJF) highlights troubling practices by the Chinese distant-water fleet, particularly in the southwestern Indian Ocean. This vast region, rich in species such as yellowfin tuna and bonito, has now become a battleground for their protection. The Chinese fleet, the largest in the world with at least 2,500 ships, is allegedly engaging in illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing activities, including brutal practices like shark finning and human rights violations.

The report draws on crew testimonies to illustrate a grim picture of maritime offenses. Crew members report that at night they cut fins off dozens of sharks, then throw the bodies overboard. Captains order the crew to kill dolphins and orcas. Workers from North Korea are held on ships for an indefinite period and cannot return home even after finishing long-term contracts, and sick crew members are forced to work.

China’s investments in port and fishing infrastructure, part of a broader “blue economy” development plan, could adversely affect the existing problem of IUU fishing. Enhanced fishing capabilities for Chinese fleets due to new infrastructure might force indebted countries, under economic pressure, to feel obligated to grant additional fishing rights, potentially leading to further degradation of the marine environment and worsening conditions for local communities. This is an important consideration in the context of natural resource management and fisheries policy.

Since 2018, EJF has focused its investigations on the Chinese distant-water fleet, gathering evidence of illegal fishing and labor abuses on many of its ships. Ian Urbina’s non-profit journalism project “The Outlaw Ocean” has also highlighted labor abuses and unsustainable fishing practices in the Chinese distant-water fleet in publications by major news outlets.

The EJF report also contains detailed recommendations for the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOTC), such as increasing the presence of observers on ships to prevent IUU, banning transshipments – the transfer of catch between ships at sea – that enable overfishing, and introducing measures to protect sharks and other marine animals.

The Chinese distant-water fishing fleet is a powerful force in fisheries, and its actions significantly impact global fisheries and marine ecosystems. Actions like those described in the EJF report underscore the need for greater transparency, stronger regulation, and law enforcement to protect global marine resources.

Such actions as described by EJF call for the global community to recognize the critical importance of protecting our oceans and managing natural resources sustainably. It’s not just about environmental protection but also about safeguarding human rights and ensuring a future for the next generations.

Addressing issues related to illegal fishing, exploitation, and human rights violations requires not only local but also global action. It demands international cooperation, stronger regulations, and strict control.

Reports like the one published by EJF are crucial for understanding the scale of the problem and mobilizing necessary actions. They are an important step towards change and can lead to real progress in protecting our oceans and their resources.