China’s Fishing Fleet Accused of Depleting Argentina’s Marine Resources

Chinese fishing practices are reportedly depleting Argentina’s marine resources through both legal and illegal activities. Environmental group El Circulo de Politicas Ambientales highlights that Chinese vessels are increasingly registered under the Argentine flag, while others operate under foreign flags to evade scrutiny. The Argentine navy has initiated surveillance operations to enforce restrictions within its exclusive economic zone (EEZ).

Environmental organizations have raised alarms regarding China’s extensive fishing fleet, which is reported to be significantly depleting Argentina’s marine resources through a mix of legal and illegal fishing operations. A report by Radio Free Asia (RFA) cites the Argentinian group, El Circulo de Politicas Ambientales, in highlighting these concerning practices.

The group disclosed that while many Chinese vessels are legitimately registered to fish under the Argentine flag, an increasing number of these boats are illegally operating under flags from other countries. This phenomenon demonstrates a concerning trend where Chinese-owned vessels are engaging in unauthorized fishing activities.

Marine conservation expert Milko Schvartzman noted that historically, Chinese fishing vessels tended to remain just outside of Argentina’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ) and occasionally disabled their automatic identification systems to conduct illicit fishing. He expressed concern that these vessels are now often registered to fly the Argentine flag, a tactic that appears to facilitate the control of Argentina’s resources.

In conclusion, the growing presence of China’s fishing fleet within Argentina’s EEZ poses significant risks to the country’s marine resources, particularly through both legal registrations and illegal operations. The Argentine authorities, including the navy, have initiated measures to address these challenges, but the situation remains precarious as experts warn of the state-sanctioned nature of this encroachment. Continued monitoring and action are essential to safeguard the integrity of Argentina’s marine environment.

Original Source: www.indianarrative.com