China’s distant-water fishing fleet are increasing their efforts on this largely ungoverned stretch of Mile 201 in the South Atlantic. This remarkable increase in activity has huge ecological implications. Between 2019 to 2024, the fleet increased its operation by a shocking 85%! This increase brought about a surprising 65% boost in overall fishing hours within the region. The Chinese fleet has skyrocketed to supremacy in Mile 201. Its success is hugely responsible for this stratospheric growth.
Mile 201 has become a prime location for fishing, particularly for squid. In reality, more than three-quarters of the boats engaged in squid jigging are Chinese! This dramatic increase in fishing pressure causes the entire squid population to be especially vulnerable. Squid have a life cycle of just one year, putting them at particular risk. Experts have been cautioning that if left unchecked and poorly managed, the squid stocks may well end up collapsing, with grave ecological consequences.
According to several reports, a substantial portion of the Chinese fleet regularly disable their identification systems. This tactic is used to avoid detection while illegally fishing within international waters. This negative practice is one that especially alarms authorities, because it takes away their ability to monitor and enforce against illegal fishing.
As Lt Luciana De Santis spoke about the difficulty local leaders have controlling these dangerous acts.
“Outside our exclusive economic zone, we cannot do anything – we cannot board them, we cannot survey, nor inspect.” – Lt Luciana De Santis
“At least 60% of the ships that transit or operate in Mile 201 regularly turn off their identification systems,” Cdr Mauricio López noted. He observed that, perhaps most significantly, this trend largely features the flag vessels of the Chinese fleet.
“A significant percentage of ships turn their identification systems off.” – Cdr Mauricio López
The impact of these practices goes much further than just fishing expeditions. Steve Trent, founder of the Environmental Justice Foundation (EJF), which has been documenting many of the harrowing conditions in Mile 201, called the circumstances outrageous. He called it a crazy “free for all.” If allowed to continue, he cautioned, this rampant overfishing could result in the complete collapse of Argentina’s squid fishery.
“The Chinese distant-water fleet is the big beast in this,” – Steve Trent
Trent, following up on the February delegation, reiterated the urgent need for Beijing to intervene. He cautioned that if we didn’t, we would face dire consequences.
“Beijing must know this is happening, so why are they not acting? Without urgent action, we are heading for disaster.” – Steve Trent
Concerns over environmental degradation are echoed by Lt Magalí Bobinac, who noted that the high volume of foreign vessels fishing in this area severely undermines the sustainability of squid populations.
“With so many ships constantly fishing without any form of oversight, the squid’s short, one-year life cycle simply is not being respected.” – Lt Magalí Bobinac
EJF’s recent investigations reveal extremely concerning practices still present among Chinese vessels. According to reports, more than 40% of these commercial fishing vessels intentionally catch seals to kill them. It only gets dicier from there, with ever-growing additional fleets from Taiwan and Korea now running Mile 201. This continues to add stress to our already thin resources.
As Cdr López highlighted, it has become a hotbed of activity as foreign fleets seasonally migrate here, putting additional strain on enforcement authorities on the ground.
“Every year, for five or six months, the foreign fleet comes from across the Indian Ocean, from Asian countries, and from the North Atlantic.” – Cdr Mauricio López
With this influx of foreign fishing vessels operating without strict regulations, experts warn that a collapse in squid populations could trigger a cascade of ecological disruption. The consequences will be devastating to marine ecosystems and their productivity. The alternative—allowing coastal communities that rely on incurring these resources, including important markets such as Spain—will incur steep social and economic repercussions.