Peru proposes alternatives that would allow Chinese vessels to evade satellite-tracking rules

Photo: Wikimedia Commons.

Chinese vessels fishing for giant squid at the edge of Peruvian territorial waters have raised concerns among artisanal fishermen. They accuse the Chinese vessels of illegal fishing and blame their activities for the scarcity of the resource. Despite denials from the Peruvian government, reports indicate that hundreds of Chinese vessels have entered Peruvian ports in recent years without complying with satellite surveillance regulations (SISESAT), making it difficult to monitor their activities.

The Peruvian government has attempted to tighten regulations with a Supreme Decree that requires all foreign vessels using Peruvian ports to install the satellite system. However, this decree also allows ships to homologate their original satellite systems with Peru’s, which could weaken the effective control of Peruvian authorities, as they would be relying on data transmitted by China. This has drawn criticism from experts who see the measure as a way for Chinese vessels to circumvent the law and continue operating without transparency.

In addition, some Chinese vessels that have entered Peruvian ports have a history of illegal fishing and forced labor, further raising concerns about the lack of control over their activities in Peruvian waters.

Main source:

Perú da alternativa a barcos chinos que permitiría nueva evasión de la norma que exige instalar el sistema de monitoreo satelital – Mongabay.

Other related sources:

Embarcaciones extranjeras que ingresen al mar peruano tendrán la obligación de instalar un sistema de control satelital – Infobae.