Chinese fishermen exploiting depleted fish stocks in the South China Sea


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National Geographic magazine rated 29.8 days activities and fishing disputes in the South China Sea are excessive causing severely affected marine ecosystems in this, making one of the most important source of the world's fish are at risk disappear completely. Another factor leading to this situation is the Chinese fishermen.

SCS has significant value in terms of economic, military and environmental. In addition to the mineral resource, in this annual circulation of commercial goods worth about 5,300 billion.

 

South China Sea is also one of the areas most important fishing world, creating jobs for about 3.7 million people and brought back to the fishing industry in the region billions of dollars every year.

 

China claims sovereignty over the South China Sea region, largely based on "historical rights" and arbitrarily drawn "line 9 points" defined the boundaries of sovereignty, while the remaining countries are in dispute launched claims based on the UN Convention on the law of the sea (UNCLOS).

 

In addition to territorial disputes, the East Sea is facing a serious environmental threat due to overfishing distress caused. After decades of being caught bluff, where fish stocks are dwindling, threatening the food supply and economic growth of developing countries in the region.

 

Disputes over fishing rights in the South China Sea have contributed to increased tensions in the region. In contrast, the dispute took place as tension rises further driving up the competition between fishermen climb, causing marine resources even more impoverished.

 

According to the report of the National Geographic magazine, now fish in some parts of the South China Sea is only 1/10 compared to the previous 60 years ago. Many high-value species such as tuna or grouper is becoming increasingly scarce,

John McManus, marine biologist at the University of Miami (USA), commented: "Perhaps we are witnessing one of the fishing disaster the worst in history. Hundreds of different species will disappear in the South China Sea a very quick way. "

 

With the depletion of fish stocks inshore fishermen in the South China Sea countries increasingly have to take more days off-shore to find fish to the waters in dispute is happening.

 

China sees this as an opportunity to assert claims and tried to support local fishermen. Beijing has stepped up the police force in the South China Sea Sea, equipped with weapons for fishing vessels and fishermen financing funds to buy larger boats. A special donor about the Chinese is also dedicated to the fishermen to fishing in areas near the Spratlys

 

Poling Gregory, director of research group Transparency of Maritime Asia Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), analyzes: "The only reason why the small fishermen till Changsha supposed to beat fish because they get paid to do this. "

 

In addition to investment for fishermen in the country, China is continually building artificial islands and structures on the island to support military operations in the South China Sea.

 

Zachary Abuza, an expert on Southeast Asian politics and maritime security at the National War University (USA), said: "China is increasing control over the South China Sea by building on the island and prevent plagued other countries exploiting the resources here. "

 

Xubi reef near the island Thitu (Spratlys), fish resources around here has been the Chinese fishing vessels catching clean, according bito-Onon Eugenio Jr., Filipino fishermen. Fishermen said here, from 3 years at no time without the presence of Chinese fishing boats.

 

Elefane Gilbert, captain of a fishing boat in Palawan Philippines tuna, noting each fishing session (lasting 2 weeks) of China in the South China Sea has hundreds of fishing vessels involved. In just a few years ago, only about 30 Chinese vessels engaged in fishing trips.

 

To enhance fishing in the South China Sea, Beijing supported military training, and provide navigation systems and advanced communications for the fishermen. The Chinese fishing boats can use this system to contact the Coast Guard in case of foreign security forces to obstruct or notice the presence of other water vessels.

 

According to National Geographic magazine, set out the general rules to control fishing activities in the South China Sea is virtually impossible until the dispute in the termination area. Whereby parallel, the governments of countries unilaterally disputed stood up for fishing areas makes the situation even more tense.

 

In May 3.2016, the Indonesian Maritime Security forces have arrested eight Chinese fishermen accused of illegal fishing in the position of Indonesia from Natuna Islands 5km (though not disputed Natuna waters but the northern islands where there are many gas fields is accused of "U-shaped line" of China).

 

While security agencies are pulling Indonesian fishing boats in port, the ship unauthorized Chinese marine police appeared and collided with the fishing vessel to release the Chinese fishermen. Indonesian security forces were forced to retreat to the Chinese fishing boats leave.

 

Poling CSIS expert commented: "It is impossible to know the applicable laws of the country in this area, because there are marine laws to 7 overlap. The countries are in dispute will have many benefits from intentional acts of other law violations. "

 

According to an analysis of National Geographic reported, a country if the laws of other countries accept it also means at the same time recognizing the sovereignty of the opponents are disputed territories. Of course, no country wants to do this.

 

In 2012, a Philippine warship to arrest a group of Chinese fishermen because it suspected the object of illegal fishing and logging precious corals in the area of Scarborough Shoal. A Chinese maritime police boats also appeared and prevented the arrest of fishermen.

 

Then, the two countries have had 10 weeks of tension in Scarborough dispute. The two sides agreed to simultaneously withdraw. However, the Chinese side will continue to stay in and take over this shallow beach after the Philippines withdrew.

 

Faced with dwindling fish stocks, fishermen in the South China Sea had to use illegal fishing methods and dangers.

 

Filipino fishermen regularly use homemade bombs to kill the fish mass at the same time. Or fishing methods by spraying cyanide poison (cyanide) to make them paralyzed fish (but alive) is also used to provide fish for the seafood restaurant expensive living in large cities in Asia such as Hong Kong.

 

These methods not only kill so many fish but also damaging coral reefs, which makes the behavioral consequences of overfishing in the South China Sea worse.

 

Construction and reclamation activities and exploitation of Chinese cockle in the South China Sea is the main reason causing approximately 163km2 area of coral destroyed. This coral is often used as foundation material in the construction work on the island.

 

These works are not only stifling coral reefs and marine ecosystems but also creates sediments polluting stream habitat of the nearby coral reefs. Mining activities also significantly affected oyster reefs to fishing due to take oysters Demolition to remove.

 

John McManus maritime expert reviews: "I predicted about half of the coral reefs in the South China Sea would be seriously damaged. Here is a complete destruction. " Coral reefs are destroyed will seriously affect the surrounding ecosystem. Many species of fish will be lost habitats while other species like tuna lose food.

 

Worse, the coral reefs in the South China Sea are associated with binding of the ecology. Juveniles born in the reef will multiply downstream to other reef. Losing a means reef fish stocks lost a child. This will increase the risk of extinction of some species.

 

Professionals McManus said the reefs can recover within one or two decades if not longer works construction and mining reclamation oysters. He said that countries in the region can contribute to preserving the ecological environment in the South China Sea by unifying a conservation area, where no built mining reclamation or oysters.

 

Experts said that a cooperation project between the national management will help to fishing activities in the South China Sea is more sustainable. This requires countries to significantly reduce the number of fishing vessels banned from use while fishing some certain way as a large fishing boat lights installed to tuna fishing.

 

If managed properly, tuna and mackerel resources in the South China Sea will increase 17-fold in 2045 according to research by the University of British Columbia implemented in 2015. According to the study, the fish that live in the reef will also recover 15%, while sharks and grouper will also appear more in the case of the general management plan properly.

 

However, experts believe that CSIS poling a plan to effectively manage resources in the South China Sea are a long way, especially when China still insists on hold "9-dotted line". He said: "The country should abandon the dispute aside. This is doable, but unlikely to happen. "

 

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