Chinese government is considering to make use of opportunities in Somali waters for the country’s giant distant-water fleet
Several Chinese fishing firms are already operating in the region, targeting tuna and other species.
Fei Sheng Chao, China’s ambassador to Somalia, addressed the online meeting, which also featured Li Le Fu, the head of policy at the fisheries bureau of China’s Ministry of Agriculture; as well as Chen Xue Jian, secretary general of the China Distant Water Fisheries Association, an industry trade group that coordinates reporting of fishery firms’ international activities for the ministry.
The ambassador “stressed that Chinese fishing firms must abide by the laws and regulations, effective authorization, bilateral cooperation framework, and international law of China and Somalia in daily operations,” according to a statement from his office.
Fei also said his office had strengthened communication and improved relations between fishing enterprises and governments at all levels in Somalia as well as between “Chinese crews and foreign crews.”
Chinese vessels, as well as operators from Iran, have faced accusations of illegal fishing in Somali waters, and Chinese media has reported the country’s supply of fighter jets to Somalia was paid for in part by fishery access rights granted to Chinese state-controlled arms and aviation firm AVIC.
