Chinese Fishing fleet of 340 vessels approaching Chilean waters to loot its resources

A surreptitious fleet with chinese flag it is heading to Chilean waters with the intent of looting its marine resources, according to the statement gave by Oceana, an organization dedicated to monitor the sea with a worldwide presence. As stated by this very ONG, the fleet of vessels seems to be the same fleet that raided the galapagos island coast placing danger to marine wildlife.

In spite of the sudden leave of the fleet from the galapagos, they are currently navigating down South America and according to recent analysis of satellite images, it has been proven that the fleet is at the edge of the Exclusive Economic Zone of Perú and at least 400 nautical miles away of the northeast Exclusive Economic Zone of Chile, which is likely the next destination.

This very investigation was developed by Oceana, the ONG analyzed the navigation routes of the fleet through Global Fishing Watch platform, which could detect a total of 126 vessels out of 340 vessels that were fishing illegaly from august 14 to september 19 between Ecuador and Perú. It has been clarified by the ONG that the decreased in the quantity of vessels is not linked to the withdrawal of some fishing vessels, but irregular actions by them.

According to the ONG analysts, it has been recorded an increase of transshipment during august, these actions has been explained as the process of unloading the fishing seafood from a vessel to a fishing carrier which will travel back to China. This very fact, might be an indicator that the fleet has increased their volume of caught fish while still navigating south. The transhipment allows the vessels to unload their illegely fishing of the goods while the advancement of their activity remains intact without the need of ports.