China’s distant-water fishing fleet under scrutiny for exploitation in East Africa

EAST AFRICA – In recent years, concerns have escalated over the activities of China’s extensive fishing fleets operating across the globe, particularly in the Southwest Indian Ocean.

According to a London-based environmental organization, these fleets, often supported by the Chinese government, are exacerbating environmental degradation and disrupting local economies.

The Environmental Justice Foundation (EJF) reported that Chinese fishing vessels have significantly depleted fish stocks in the region, impacting the livelihoods of coastal communities in countries such as Mozambique, Tanzania, Kenya, and Madagascar.

Local fishermen lamented the drastic decline in catch sizes, noting that what used to be a day’s haul now requires multiple days of effort.

“This is devastating because it not only affects us but also the future of our children,” expressed one Mozambican fisherman.

He described how the arrival of Chinese fleets has rendered their once-thriving fishing grounds less productive, with consequential implications for food security and economic stability.

Despite China’s State Council white paper emphasizing sustainable and cooperative fishing practices, reports indicate widespread illegal activities and environmental abuses by Chinese vessels.

The EJF’s investigation, titled “Tide of Injustice: Exploitation and illegal fishing on Chinese vessels in the Southwest Indian Ocean,” documented numerous instances of illegal fishing and human rights violations between 2017 and 2023.

Among the reported abuses are the illegal practice of shark finning, where sharks are caught, finned, and discarded back into the ocean, and widespread violence against crew members. 

Interviews conducted by EJF revealed that a significant portion of crew members on Chinese longline tuna boats experienced or witnessed physical abuse, including beatings and assault with knives and other weapons.

Verbal abuse and intimidation were also pervasive aboard these vessels.

The revelations have sparked international concern, with calls for stricter enforcement of fishing regulations and improved oversight of distant-water fleets.

Environmental groups and local authorities in affected countries are urging greater transparency and accountability from China to mitigate the environmental and social impacts of its fishing activities in the region.

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