Shady Chinese Fishing Fleet Spotted Near Americas, Radar Signatures Immediately Raise Red Flags

As the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia contend with an infuriated France over a maritime defense deal that left the latter country snubbed, China — the main reason the defense deal was needed — is carrying out massive, questionably legal fishing efforts in some of the world’s least-overseen waters.

The thousands-strong fleet of Chinese fishing vessels, worldwide, which is heavily subsidized by Beijing, has been long accused by environmentalists and national maritime enforcement agencies of engaging in illegal, ecologically damaging fishing practices.

Reporters from The Associated Press and Univision joined the vigilante patrol cutter Ocean Warrior on an 18-day voyage over the summer to observe the fishing boats up close after a large fleet of Chinese ships was caught fishing off the Galapagos Islands in the summer of 2020.

Beijing had promised to rein in its fleets fishing around the islands, which, despite their exotic sound, are only about 600 miles from the coast of South America — about the distance from St. Louis to New Orleans. They’re a province of...

Read More HERE