Pacific countries seldom even crew fishing boats and make money only on the licensing. Since 2012 the Chinese Pacific fishing fleet has grown by more than 500%. “It has the largest fishing fleet and the largest DWF [distant water fishing] fleet in the world.”Chinese vessels have been extensively documented engaging in illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing. Photograph: Alex Hofford/EPAThe EU gave Vanuatu a warning in 2012 over the role of IUU vessels carrying its flag. As a consequence there was an often substantial loss of income for poorer Pacific countries from IUU fishing, especially because it often involved traditional fishing grounds.

Source: The Guardian June 13, 2021 19:52 UTC