China's Distant-Water Fleet Dominates 44% of Global Fishing Activity, Faces Scrutiny Over IUU Practices

China operates the world's largest distant-water fishing (DWF) fleet, which accounts for an estimated 44% of global fishing activity, according to a recent analysis by Oceana. This extensive fleet, observed to include around 57,000 vessels, has drawn significant international attention due to its operational scale, government subsidies, and widespread allegations of illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing practices. The fleet's expansion into distant waters follows the depletion of domestic fish stocks, leading to environmental degradation, threats to local livelihoods, and escalating geopolitical tensions across various regions.

The sheer size of China's DWF fleet is a point of contention, with estimates varying widely. While official Chinese government data suggests a much smaller number of vessels, independent reports, such as one from ODI in 2020, have indicated the fleet could be five to eight times larger than previously understood, identifying up to 16,966 vessels. Melissa Chen highlighted the scale on social media, stating, "> China operates the world's largest fishing fleet, estimated at up to 800,000 vessels, many subsidized by the government for fuel and operations." While the higher figure remains an extreme estimate, the consensus points to a fleet of unparalleled global reach.

A key factor enabling the fleet's extensive operations is substantial government support. Both central and provincial Chinese governments provide significant subsidies for fuel, vessel construction, and operational costs. These subsidies, particularly at the provincial level, have been noted to sometimes counteract Beijing's stated goals of curbing IUU fishing and promoting sustainable practices, fostering continued expansion of the distant-water industry.

The environmental and socioeconomic impacts are profound. Having exhausted fish populations in its own waters, the Chinese DWF fleet has moved into the Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZs) and high seas of other nations. This has resulted in the depletion of fish stocks globally, threatening the food security and economic stability of coastal communities, especially in developing countries. Reports indicate that at least 183 Chinese DWF vessels have been suspected of involvement in IUU fishing activities, with concerns raised about transparency issues such as the use of multiple or shared vessel identification numbers and false AIS positions.

Geopolitical tensions have also heightened as China's DWF fleet operates in sensitive areas. The tweet specifically mentioned conflicts with nations including Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, India, Taiwan, Japan, South Korea, New Zealand, Pacific islands, Argentina, Peru, and Mauritania. Experts suggest that China leverages its fishing fleet as a tool of geopolitical influence, particularly in contested maritime regions like the South China Sea, and its fishing agreements can be intertwined with broader infrastructure and financial projects, making it challenging for smaller nations to resist. Beijing has expressed intentions to regulate its DWF fleet more strictly and combat IUU fishing, but the fragmented nature of its industry, with numerous private and state-owned enterprises, presents significant challenges to effective oversight and enforcement.