China’s fishing fleet, the world’s largest, is depleting global fish stocks at an alarming pace. With an estimated 200,000 to 800,000 vessels, this fleet accounts for nearly half of the global catch, raising concerns over the health of marine ecosystems and the sustainability of fish populations.
China’s fishing expansion is driven by depleting fish stocks in its own waters. Its vessels are increasingly encroaching on other nations’ exclusive economic zones (EEZs), disregarding international regulations. Estimates suggest the fleet may actually be as large as 17,000 vessels, far exceeding official reports.
The environmental impact is devastating. Overfishing in regions like West Africa and Latin America has led to severe declines in fish stocks, including a 70% drop in squid in North Korean waters. Additionally, destructive practices such as bottom trawling are obliterating seabed habitats.
The sheer scale of China’s fishing operations is staggering, with 15.2 million tonnes of marine life harvested annually, accounting for 20% of global catches. This unsustainable exploitation mirrors the past overexploitation of natural resources, like the collapse of the Atlantic cod fishery in the 1990s.
Unchecked, this depletion threatens global food security and biodiversity. Stronger international regulations, improved enforcement, and sustainable fishing practices are urgently needed to prevent further ecological collapse.
China’s fishing practices are depleting the world’s oceans at an unprecedented rate. Immediate action is necessary to safeguard marine resources and ensure long-term environmental and economic stability.
Sources:
https://www.newsweek.com/china-fishing-fleet-industry-environment-forced-labor-1844620
https://e360.yale.edu/features/how-chinas-expanding-fishing-fleet-is-depleting-worlds-oceans
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-12-19/how-china-is-plundering-the-worlds-oceans/12971422