Replies to post #12615 on Sino Agro Food Inc (fka SIAF)

[Helium-3]

Demand for seafood driving Chinese fishermen to venture into disputed waters

By Jose Katigbak , STAR Washington Bureau (The Philippine Star) Updated June 02, 2012 12:00 AMComments (8)

Interesting read - the south china sea has become kind of dicey lately due to regional claims over oil and fishing rights:

WASHINGTON – China’s growing appetite for seafood coupled with its dwindling maritime fishery resources is driving more and more Chinese fishermen to take risks in disputed waters in the West Philippine Sea, the Asia Society said.

Because of income growth, many Chinese households are switching from subsistence to nutrition-oriented food consumption and fish has become an important source of high-quality animal protein, said an article by Asia Society senior advisor Junjie Zhang.

It said recent confrontations with Chinese fishermen for alleged illegal fishing in waters shared by neighbors, including Vietnam and the Philippines, could worsen and if the root causes of the clashes are not resolved, tensions with China will heighten and the list of countries engaged in fishing conflicts will inevitably grow.

Escalating fishing conflicts are usually attributed to unsettled territorial and maritime disputes but these conflicts are also deeply rooted in China’s worsening fishing crisis, the article said.

Chinese and Philippine vessels have been locked in a standoff at Panatag Shoal since early April when Chinese vessels prevented the crew of the Philippine Navy flagship BRP Gregorio del Pilar from arresting Chinese fishermen for alleged poaching.

Panatag is 124 nautical miles from Zambales, well within the Philippines’ 200-mile exclusive economic zone.

The Asia Society article said chronic over fishing in Chinese coastal waters has led to the irreversible degradation of the marine ecosystem, forcing more fishermen to venture in disputed waters.

“Given the unlikelihood that China will be able to resolve its territorial and maritime disputes in the near future, Beijing should sharply focus on improving domestic fisheries policies as a matter of urgency,” it said.