Illegal fishing: this is how Chinese ships manage to plunder the Atlantic using this “stratagem”

China is adopting increasingly sophisticated practices to exploit the fish resources of the southern Atlantic, in particular in the Argentine Sea, through the use of ships under false flag. That’s right: a series of undercover operations, the Chinese ones, which not only threaten the marine ecosystem, but – to say it with geopolitical experts – also compromise, and seriously, the economic sovereignty of Argentina on their natural resources.

Welcome to the truth Squid Gamein short, where Chinese companies ruthlessly control more than 60 industrial ships for fishing for squid That beat another flag and which make up most of the Argentine squid fleet.

To highlight everything is a new investigation conducted byEnvironmental Policy Circle (CPA), which identified At least 13 Chinese owned ships operating under “convenient” flags of countries such as Vanuatu and Cameroon. This stratagem allows Chinese ships to mask their true identity and to evade international fishing regulations.

The investigations

Second Milko Schvartzmanfishing expert at the CPA, this “trick” is increasingly used since 2020, especially In the area known as “Miglio 201”, at the external limit of the exclusive economic area (ZEE) Argentina.

The fact is that the use of flags of convenience It allows Chinese ships to fish illegally in Argentine waters, subtracting vital fish resources for the local economy. And not only that: in addition to the use of comfortable flags, China is expanding its presence in the global fish sector through a accordi with third countries and the acquisition of other local fleets.

An approach that allows you to get around international regulations and to exercise de facto control over the marine resources of different regions.

An investigation from 2024 revealed that China controls at least 62 industrial fishing boats that beat Argentine flag, constituting most of the local calamar fishing fleet. Many of these ships have been involved in illegal activities, starting with the use of forced labor.

What does all this involve?

The illegal fishing practices, not declared and unregulated (Inn) by the Chinese fleet have devastating consequences on marine ecosystems and local communities. Superpesca threatens biodiversity and puts the sustainability of fish resources at risk, fundamental for the economy and food safety of coastal populations.

In addition, numerous reports of human rights violations emerged on board Chinese ships, including forced work and inhuman working conditions.

What do you do to solve the problem? In 2021, the global initiative against transnational organized crime ranked the China as the main responsible for illegal fishing worldwidewhile the United States have imposed sanctions to various Chinese fishing companies for suspected forced work. The European Union has started a “blue partnership” with China in 2018, aimed at improving cooperation in the governance of the oceans and promoting sustainable fishing practices.

All this has served, if we still speak of a powerful, criminal and complex system of regulatory scams.