Photo: Wikimedia Commons.
According to a report by Infobae, after identifying several foreign vessels at the edge of Argentina’s Exclusive Economic Zone, authorities launched a patrol and monitoring operation in the vicinity of the 200-mile mark. A total of 380 vessels were recorded operating in this area.
For this operation, small aircraft, warships, and a P-3C "Orion" aircraft, specialized in maritime surveillance, were deployed. This has been the Argentine government’s most forceful response to date in combating illegal fishing and protecting its maritime resources. Additionally, surveillance efforts have been reinforced in the 200-mile zone, one of the main areas where these foreign vessels operate.
Although this case is recent, illegal fishing in these waters is a recurring issue. It is worth noting that over 80% of the vessels detected fishing illegally were flying the Chinese flag, though ships from Spain, the United Kingdom, and the Falkland Islands were also identified.
The techniques used to carry out illegal fishing are varied. One of the most common methods involves the use of powerful night reflectors that attract squid to the surface for capture. It is important to emphasize that this species plays a crucial role in the marine ecosystem, as it is a key component of the food chain. Uncontrolled fishing could severely disrupt the ecosystem’s balance and even lead to a collapse of the squid population.
Another frequent method employed by these vessels is turning off their automatic identification systems, making them undetectable to Argentine authorities and raising suspicions of incursions into the Exclusive Economic Zone.
Moreover, this phenomenon has raised concerns in the local fishing sector. According to Darío Sócrate, director of the Argentine Chamber of Jigging Vessel Owners, competition with foreign ships has reduced the capture volume for local fleets. Currently, they manage to catch only half the amount of squid they used to, due to the pressure exerted by foreign fleets.
Since 2010, the number of foreign vessels operating in the region has increased by 30%, adding approximately 150 more ships, most of them from China. The growing presence of these fleets poses a challenge both to Argentina's maritime sovereignty and to the conservation of the aquatic ecosystem. Reports indicate that these vessels sustain their operations within Argentina’s Exclusive Economic Zone thanks to government subsidies and cutting-edge technology.
Last but not least, the Argentine government is betting on increased controls and patrols in the South Atlantic to curb the illegal activities of these foreign vessels in its territorial waters.
Main Source:
Así opera la flota pesquera china al borde de aguas territoriales argentinas – Infobae
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