Argentina's coastguard chased and sank a Chinese vessel that

[JustJohn or JJ]

1 hour ago

From the section Latin America & Caribbean



This image published on the coastguard website showed the confrontation between the two vessels
 

Argentina's coastguard chased and sank a Chinese vessel that it says was fishing illegally in Argentine waters on Monday.

In a statement, the coastguard said one of its vessels had fired warning shots at the Lu Yan Yuan Yu 010 as it headed for international waters.

The coastguard said it had first tried to raise a response by radio. All 32 crew members were rescued, it said.

China has expressed "serious concern" over the sinking.


Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Lu Kang said in a statement that Beijing had "made urgent representations" to Argentina, demanding a thorough investigation.

Illegal fishing is a common problem in the South Atlantic.

"The vessel was hailed over radio (in Spanish and English) and both visual and audio signals were sent to make contact. However, the vessel turned off its fishing lights and proceeded to flee towards international waters without responding to repeated calls over various frequencies," the coastguard statement said (in Spanish).

"On several occasions, the offending ship performed manoeuvres designed to force a collision with the coastguard, putting at risk not only its own crew but coastguard personnel, who were then ordered to shoot parts of the vessel."

China is the world's largest market for seafood and has the biggest long-distance fishing fleet, currently numbering more than 2,000 vessels, reports say.

In 2012 Argentina captured two Chinese vessels it said had been fishing illegally for squid in its exclusive economic zone. Warning shots were fired.

The latest incident comes despite Argentina's relations with China growing closer in recent years.

[kaima]

It is tempting to talk big and say "sink some more!" In Alaska it is common to find foreign ships poaching in our fishing waters. Using satellite and hovering C130's we keep an accurate account of the ships. Presumably we have it pretty well under control in the North Pacific. If you are into television, the show "Deadliest Catch" is the area I am talking about, all the way out to the border with Siberia.

[karl]

Kai

As you have pointed out with your presentation, Fishing stocks although a renewable resource, are non the less limited to only that what is available. With todays fishing technology it is not inconceivable to deplete those stocks to an extent of following years available runs.

I do agree, the manner of sinking foreign fishing vessels although illegal in their respective waters, is a bit over harsh. But then, the word is out for sure to leave those fishing stocks alone.

The mouth of the Rio de la Plata is a very rich fishing area where it empties into the South Atlantic. For the river is very very long and with this, not only carries setament from afar in its travels, but stirs up food particals conductive to plant and fish food of the many species in that area.

It used to be the Russians that violated the fishing waters of other nations, now it appears the Chinese have taken over that credit. With the navigational aids now carried upon these vessels, there is no excuse of being lost or out of bounds in legel fishing runs.

Your Alaska waters are very well known for the rich bottom fishing and salmon runs. It is not suprising of poaching in those waters. Deadlist catch, is that a story of sunk fishing boats/ships?

Karl