China’s illegal fishing for giant Squid in South Pacific and Peru waters raises fears

A substantial presence of Chinese fishing fleets in the southern Pacific Ocean raised concerns about the illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing in Latin America, mainly in Peru. The Committee for the Sustainable Management of the South Pacific Giant Squid (CALAMASUR), chaired by Alfonso Miranda from Peru, said efforts to limit Chinese illegal fishing are still falling short.

Miranda expressed his concern and said the illegal presence of the Chinese fleet puts at risk and endangers the stability and work of thousands of fishermen in Peru, and of tens of thousands of fishermen in the region.

He said there have been documented cases of illegal fishing by Chinese vessels, not only in Peru but also in other countries in the region. Miranda estimates that the Chinese fleet may be illegally fishing 50,000 tonnes of squid in Peruvian waters every year.

He said this means 50,000 tonnes less for the artisanal fleet, which in economic terms represents US$80 million a year.

For his part, Alejandro Bravo, Secretary-General of the Federation of Integration and Unification of Artisanal Fishermen of Peru, said the Chinese vessels were stealing and extracting Peru’s resource illegally.