Chinese research teams have recently released reports highlighting the significant ecological protection efforts made on the islands and reefs of the South China Sea. These findings underscore the successful measures implemented to safeguard the environment, yet they remain underemphasized as some Western media outlets and think tanks persist in accusing China of environmental destruction and excessive fishing. This investigative report delves into the reality of Chinese fishing activities in the South China Sea, exploring the extent and intensity of the industry, and the measures China has taken to promote ecological balance.
The South China Sea spans approximately 3.5 million square kilometers and borders nine countries with a combined population of nearly 2 billion. This vast expanse is a crucial source of food and trade for the surrounding nations, providing a livelihood for many fishermen. Research indicates that 12 percent of global fish catches annually are made in the South China Sea, underscoring its importance as a fishing ground.
In recent years, Western media have repeatedly raised concerns about heavy fishing pressure and ecological imbalance in the region, often attributing these issues to Chinese fishermen. A 2023 report by the US think tank Center for Strategic and International Studies accused China and Vietnam of contributing the most to fish catches in the South China Sea, highlighting the damage caused by bottom trawlers. This report prompted the Philippine government to accuse China of ecological harm and threatened legal action.
Contrary to these accusations, Li Zhaofeng, deputy general manager of a Chinese company operating in the South China Sea, argues that the actual scale and impact of Chinese fishing activities in the Nansha Islands is not as significant as portrayed. He asserts that Chinese fishermen employ eco-friendly methods in their operations. The primary reason for the limited scale of Chinese fishing in the Nansha Islands is its low economic viability.
Chinese fishing boats typically weigh between 100 and 200 tons, with engines producing 300-500 kilowatts of power. The cost of burning diesel fuel is around 1,000 yuan ($138.6) per hour. The journey to the Nansha Islands is long, resulting in higher fuel costs and extended periods in harsh conditions, leading to increased maintenance and labor costs. Consequently, fishing in the Nansha area is less lucrative compared to nearby waters.
Fishing in the Nansha Islands requires a longer duration, around two months, and the catch must be frozen, reducing its economic value. By contrast, fishing in nearby waters allows for the fresh catch to be quickly sold at a higher price. For valuable reef-dwelling fish like groupers and snappers, frozen grouper caught in the Nansha area fetches only a fraction of the price of fresh grouper caught in nearby waters. Therefore, fishermen prefer to operate near the coast.
Research data supports this preference. Ma Shengwei, the executive deputy director of a research center at the South China Sea Fisheries Research Institute, shared that their survey data over the last 30 years indicates a decrease of approximately one-fifth in fishery resources in the coastal areas of the South China Sea. However, collaborative efforts have helped maintain the overall stability of fishery resources near the coast, with individual species numbers gradually recovering.
To incentivize eco-friendly fishing activities in the Nansha Islands, China provides subsidies related to ecological aspects but only within certain limits. This measure aims to prevent damage to the South China Sea’s ecosystem by regulating the number of fishing vessels. Protective measures include restocking, establishing protected areas, and implementing seasonal fishing bans.
The seasonal fishing ban, spanning from May 1 to August 16 each year in the South China Sea region north of 12 degrees north latitude (including the Beibu Gulf), aims to protect spawning populations and juveniles of marine organisms during their breeding and growth periods in spring and summer. This ban replenishes population numbers, enhances marine biodiversity, and reduces damage to coral and other marine habitats caused by trawling.
During the ban period, the China Coast Guard (CCG) collaborates with the fishery administration and public security to conduct rigorous inspections. On-site enforcement footage reveals that CCG officers inspect vessels for driving qualifications, relevant certificates, fishing permits, and fishing nets. Fishermen caught using fishing gear with mesh sizes smaller than national regulations are suspected of engaging in illegal fishing activities.
This scientific marine ecological protection policy often faces criticism from countries lacking protective mechanisms for South China Sea fishery resources. The Philippine Foreign Ministry issued a statement protesting China’s fishing ban, claiming it “raises tensions” and demanded that Beijing “cease and desist” from “illegal actions” that “violate the Philippines’ sovereignty.”
Wu Shicun, president of the National Institute for South China Sea Studies, expressed disappointment that no neighboring country has followed China’s fishing ban policy. He noted that while China has controlled its fishing vessels, other countries have sent more vessels to the South China Sea during the ban, posing a challenge for cooperation in protecting fishery resources and restoring the marine ecological environment.
The seasonal fishing ban policy in China is viewed as a “sacrifice” made by Chinese fishermen to help restore the ecological environment in the South China Sea. However, it has not received understanding or support from some neighboring countries and has been undermined by their increased fishing activities during the ban period. During previous bans, Chinese fishing boats returned to port while vessels from other countries rushed to fish in various areas, including the open sea near the Pearl River Estuary.
China, as the largest coastal country in the South China Sea, actively collaborates with neighboring countries in fisheries to achieve sustainable development through technical assistance. For instance, China and Vietnam have partnered on fishery resource protection and conservation in the Beibu Gulf, serving as a model of cooperation in the region. Since 2017, they have conducted seven joint restocking activities, releasing over 354 million fish fry into the Beibu Gulf.
China has also implemented standardized restocking measures in areas like the Xisha Islands, a vital tropical fishing ground and habitat for rare species such as red corals and sea turtles. However, the ecosystem in the Xisha area faces threats from overfishing, blast fishing, and illegal harvesting by fishermen from other riparian countries, leading to a decline in biodiversity.
To promote sustainable development of the fishing industry in the Xisha Islands and boost fishermen’s income, the Sansha city government has been conducting breeding and release activities in the Xisha waters for several years. These releases include nationally protected animals like hawksbill turtles and green sea turtles. Additionally, to control the outbreak of crown-of-thorns starfish and protect the coral reef ecosystem in Sansha, the city government has released a large number of conch and trochus snails, which are ecologically valuable reef species, to maintain marine biodiversity.
China’s fisheries cooperation with other countries also involves technical assistance, such as the China-Philippines seaweed aquaculture technology cooperation and the establishment of a China-Philippines modern fisheries demonstration base. Under these initiatives, China has trained nearly 300 fishery management personnel for ASEAN member states. From 2017 to 2019, China provided fishery technology training and support for Filipino fishermen, including the transfer of fish germplasm resources for capacity building. During this period, China also supplied 100,000 high-quality grouper fingerlings to aquaculture farmers in the Palawan and Davao regions of the Philippines annually.
These assistance projects have significantly boosted employment and income for Filipino fishermen, eased fishing pressure in the Philippines, and safeguarded fishery resources in the South China Sea. However, the main challenge to enhancing marine governance cooperation in the South China Sea remains territorial sovereignty and maritime boundary disputes. Geopolitical tensions hinder consensus among relevant parties.
Ding Duo, deputy director of the Institute of Maritime Law and Policy at the National Institute for South China Sea Studies, emphasized that the South China Sea is a shared home for regional countries, and the sustainable development of fisheries in the region is crucial not only for our generation but also for future generations. To advance sustainable development, all parties involved must work together and progress toward a common goal.
While accusations of environmental destruction and excessive fishing by Chinese fishermen persist, the reality is more nuanced. China has implemented significant measures to promote ecological balance in the South China Sea, from seasonal fishing bans to collaborative restocking efforts. These initiatives highlight China’s commitment to preserving the marine environment and ensuring the sustainable development of fisheries in the region. However, achieving broader cooperation and support from neighboring countries remains a crucial challenge for the future.
