The Chinese vessel Tian Xiang received a fine of S/250 despite fishing illegally in the Peruvian sea, denounced Edwin Houghton, vice president of the National Artisanal Fishing Society of Peru (Sonapescal). He even warns that with prompt payment benefits, the effective fine could end up at S / 100.
Houghton emphasizes that in 2023, more than 150 vessels entered that omit the use of the satellite device with which it is checked if they are authorized to carry out fishing activities. So far this year, there are already 35 boats.
These S/250 fines are classified as ridiculous by Sonapescal since they do not contribute to repairing environmental damage or discouraging future occurrence of these acts.
“They impose exorbitant fines on artisanal fishermen, initiate criminal proceedings against us, freeze our bank accounts and confiscate our boats and fishing equipment. Meanwhile, we see in this case that Chinese boats that have been seen by our fishermen within our 200 miles receive sanctions with amounts that sound like a joke.”he added.
Artisanal fishermen ask for more order and control
Sonapescal recalled that in recent weeks, various artisanal fishermen have reported on social networks unforeseen encounters with Chinese squid boats very close to the Peruvian maritime limit of 200 miles, and even a stone’s throw from important ports such as Chimbote, Callao and Pisco.
“Apparently, they would be entering shipyards of the Peruvian Navy to be repaired and be able to continue operating off the Peruvian coast,” Houghton added.
Thus, they urged the Ministry of Defense and the Ministry of Production to put order in the Sea of Grau. According to Sonapescal, in response to the claim of artisanal fishermen, Produce assured that it would “intensify its control actions against illegal fishing.”
They also denounce that the Hua Ying 78 boat entered Paracas Bay on April 15, and specifically on April 2, according to Global Fishing Watch, it would have registered an entry into Peru to carry out fishing activities. In the last six months, this vessel turned off its satellite equipment twice for around 10 days.
“Despite this background, the Ministry of Production authorized the entry of this vessel into Peru, when it should have been denied, or allowed entry, but to exercise its sanctioning capacity. But, as recorded in the records of the Maritime Port Authority “He was allowed to come and go like Pedro at home,” Houghton concluded.
More illegal foreign vessels in the Peruvian sea
On April 4, the Jin Hai 728 ship entered the Peruvian sea to change crew but, in the end, it carried out maintenance activities at the SIMA shipyard in Chimbote. The Outlaw Ocean Project identified an event linked to human rights violations on this vessel, adds Sonapescal.
Since Sergio González assumed the Produce portfolio in April, 26 Chinese ships entered Peru in the dark—without the monitoring of their satellite devices, as required by local regulations.
And, in May alone, four ships were improperly authorized to enter without the Peruvian satellite device and have serious records of illegal fishing or labor abuses: Ning Tai 11, Zhou Yu 908, Pu Yuan 827 and, the aforementioned, Hua Ying 78 .
Source: Larepublica
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