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Is China's Fishing Fleet a Growing Security Threat?

VOA News

   WASHINGTON - China says it has banned its massive fishing fleet from
   catching squid in parts of the Atlantic and Pacific oceans for three
   months to help populations recover, after environmental groups warned
   the country's illegal fishing activities are devastating ecologically
   sensitive areas such as the Galapagos Islands.

   According to China's [1]Ministry of Agriculture and Rural affairs, the
   moratorium bans all Chinese fishing fleets on parts of the high seas in
   southwest Atlantic and east Pacific for three months, effective July
   1st.

   China's state media [2]Global Times said the move promotes long-term
   sustainable use of fishery resources in open waters, and "highlights
   China's image as a responsible fishing power and is a milestone for
   China's participation in international maritime management."

   Experts who spoke to VOA say that Chinese illegal fishing is not only
   used by Beijing to stake maritime claims, the fleet's massive
   overfishing helps drive food insecurity and ecological problems.

References

   1. http://www.gov.cn/xinwen/2020-07/02/content_5523376.htm
   2. https://www.globaltimes.cn/content/1194104.shtml

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