Chinese fishing fleet raises alarm across South America
· UPISANTIAGO, Chile, July 1 (UPI) -- Concerns grow over a fleet of nearly 400 Chinese fishing vessels remains off Peru's southern coast and continues to move north through the Pacific Ocean along a route that has historically brought it close to Ecuador's Galápagos Islands.
A monitoring report by Argentine researcher Milko Schvartzman, who specializes in illegal fishing, identified 342 Chinese fishing vessels operating last weekend off southern Peru.
They were accompanied by between 20 and 25 support ships that provide offshore logistics and allow the fleet to remain at sea for extended periods, allegedly engaging in unauthorized and unreported fishing.
"The risk to marine conservation, migratory species and marine ecosystems is extremely high," Schvartzman told Argentine news outlet Infobae on Tuesday.
He said the vessels target species such as squid and tuna, but also catch other marine life in their path, while generating significant pollution.
"This fleet of nearly 400 vessels is constantly polluting the ocean. It discharges tons of plastic waste, used fuel, oil and all kinds of contaminants," Schvartzman said.
The vessels operate along the edge of countries' 200-nautical-mile Exclusive Economic Zones rather than in the open waters where fishing is permitted under international law. They also rely on ports across the region for resupply and technical support.
Many of the vessels specialize in nighttime squid fishing rather than bottom trawling.
The International Maritime Organization requires vessels operating in international waters to use the Automatic Identification System to reduce the risk of collisions. However, Schvartzman said there have been repeated allegations that some vessels switch off their tracking systems to conceal unauthorized movements, making enforcement more difficult.
Cristóbal Correa, campaigns director for the international conservation organization Oceana Chile, said Peruvian artisanal fishermen have reported suspicious activity by the Chinese fleet inside Peru's Exclusive Economic Zone.
"A similar situation occurred in Chile last year, when artisanal fishermen in the country's north reported that Chinese vessels turned off their lights and satellite positioning systems," Correa told UPI. "They managed to interrupt the movement of species, such as jumbo flying squid and squid, toward the Chilean coast, preventing local fishermen from catching them."
He said the practice has caused significant economic losses for local fishing communities.
Peru's National Society of Artisanal Fisheries estimated those losses linked to illegal fishing at nearly $300 million. Meanwhile, the South Pacific Regional Fisheries Management Organization estimated that the Chinese fleet caught 514,000 metric tons of squid in the South Pacific in 2022, surpassing the annual catch of Peruvian vessels for the first time.
Since 2024, Peru has tightened inspections at its ports by requiring vessels to keep their Vessel Monitoring System active, including during emergencies, strengthening satellite tracking and increasing port inspections. Correa said those measures have prompted parts of the Chinese fleet to seek logistical support elsewhere.
He said vessels are increasingly turning to Ecuador, home to the Galápagos Islands, one of the world's most important marine reserves, as well as Chile.
"The Chinese fleet has sought ports with more flexible regulations, such as those in Chile. The data are clear. In 2024, there were only seven port calls by Chinese vessels in Chile. In 2025, that number rose to 196. That is a 2,700% increase," Correa said.
Although he said he cannot conclude that every port call is linked to illegal fishing, Correa noted that allegations of suspicious conduct have increased in recent years and said authorities should strengthen oversight to protect marine resources.
The Chilean Navy said it maintains continuous surveillance of the Chinese fishing fleet through satellite monitoring and maritime patrols to detect any unauthorized entry into the country's Exclusive Economic Zone.
Correa said, however, that Chile's enforcement capacity remains limited compared with the number of vessels operating in the region.
Fernando Wilson, a security consultant and professor at Chile's Adolfo Ibáñez University, told UPI the country has stronger surveillance capabilities than other South Pacific nations because of its satellite monitoring, maritime patrol aircraft and offshore patrol vessels, but warned that those resources are not sufficient to eliminate the risk.
"We are talking about several hundred vessels. This is a danger and a problem that involves not only Chile but also Peru, Ecuador and Argentina. It is a regional challenge," Wilson said.