Pingtan Marine Enterprise, based in China, is described as the sole ship owner responsible for a fleet estimated at around 225 vessels. These ships are reportedly allocated to deep-sea fishing activities that span international waters. The company is said to receive government subsidies, including a reported 19 million dollars in 2021, and faces serious accusations about fishing practices in sensitive regions, such as the Galapagos protected area, along with reports of labor abuses aboard vessels. Allegations have also surfaced about punitive measures on crew members, including extended periods at sea without shore leave accompanied by food deprivation as punishment.
U.S. government summaries raise a warning that these concerns are not isolated incidents but part of a broader pattern within certain Chinese fleets. The same government body has previously identified unlawful activities in other fleets and notes issues such as the distribution of expired food onboard ships after departure from port. By December 2022, official records indicated a small portion of what is believed to be a much larger set of documented irregularities involving a Chinese flag fleet. Nevertheless, officials continue to emphasize that efforts to curb illegal fishing and enforce maritime rules require ongoing international cooperation and careful policy design to avoid undermining credible regulatory actions in Europe and beyond.
Rejection of a Plan Targeting Drift and Its Immediate Repercussions
Sinkevicius faced a parliamentary inquiry about a report from the Environmental Justice Foundation that condemned illegal fishing, resource exploitation, and labor issues linked to Chinese crews in parts of Africa. The question pressed on why China did not receive a formal sanction such as a yellow card under a recognized framework for illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing. In context, a sanction known as the yellow card is issued by the European Union to signal concern and prompt reforms, while some officials argue that sanctions should be targeted and proportional to the violations observed.
The yellow card system is a policy tool intended to deter harmful fishing practices. A senior European fisheries official stated that progress has been made, including updates to regulations governing far-water fishing and new rules on high-seas transshipments. The United States Treasury had similarly issued a sanction in December 2022 related to these matters, underscoring the transatlantic focus on responsible fishing. In the ongoing discussion, some lawmakers question whether Brussels applies a double standard by sanctioning certain countries while allowing others to operate with less scrutiny. The official response remains that policy decisions are guided by the best available evidence and a commitment to a level playing field across maritime governance frameworks.
Also highlighted were broader assessments by research organizations on the global fleet. A recent ODI study points to a significant portion of vessels flagged to China that are involved in questionable activity and highlights the complexity of flag state responsibilities. The report suggests that a sizable offshore fleet relies on flags from multiple nations and that many ships operate with indirect links to Chinese ownership, complicating accountability. In this climate, analysts note that the global seafood trade faces ongoing challenges related to transparency, traceability, and the protection of workers in the supply chain. These issues continue to be debated by policymakers, industry stakeholders, and researchers worldwide, including in North American markets that import substantial seafood from the region.