In recent years, opposition member Stacy Mather has been hearing about evidence that Chinese boats may be fishing illegally in the territory’s waters, he said this month in the House of Assembly.
“It has been brought to my attention that vessels operated by Chinese fishermen have been dragging nets in the waters off Anegada, many of which have washed up on our shores,” Mr. Mather said during the question-and-answer portion of the May 2 HOA meeting.
“Will the honorable premier and the minister of agriculture and fisheries please tell this honourable House whether he is aware of this situation, and what steps have the government taken to address this concern? Has there been any seizures of boats or crews concerning this illegal activity?”
In response, Premier Dr. Natalio “Sowande” Wheatley said that the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries has no records of such illegal fishing in the territory’s waters.
“I’m not aware of illegal fishing activities conducted by Chinese fishermen, any seizures of vessels, or the detention of any crewmember operating illegally in Virgin Islands waters since being elected,” the premier said. “Though I’m unaware of such activities by Chinese fishermen, there may very well be illegal fishing occurring in the Virgin Islands.”
Joint Task Force
Dr. Wheatley reminded Mr. Mather that in March 2020 the government sanctioned the formation of the Joint Task Force, which is made up of immigration, customs and police officers.
JTF members, he said, are empowered to enforce the territory’s marine borders, including by addressing any offences committed under the Fisheries Act, 1997.
He added that the government is also working on new legislation and other steps to enable the territory to better oversee its economic zone at sea.
Updated surveillance tactics could include satellite monitoring, radar, more law enforcement vessels, and further cooperation with neighbours such as the United States VI, the premier explained.
Chinese fishing
As global fishing stocks have become increasingly depleted in recent years, China has faced allegations that its long-range fishing vessels routinely operate illegally in other countries’ waters in regions including Asia, Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean.
Often, these countries are targeted because they lack the resources and inclination to enforce fishing rules at sea, according to a 2020 article published in Yale Environment 360.
Some Chinese ships also have been accused of using aggressive military manoeuvres against other vessels, especially in disputed waters in Asia.
Large Chinese fleet
Because of a lack of transparency surrounding Chinese ships, estimates of the country’s distant-water fishing fleet range widely.
China says the fleet includes about 2,600 ships, but 2020 research by the Overseas Development Institute, a London-based think tank, put the number at nearly 17,000, according to Yale Environment 360.
In comparison, the United States’ distant-water fleet averages around 300 vessels, the Yale publication reported.
This story has been amended to correctly identify Stacy Mather as the opposition member asking questions.