Arrival trajectory of vessels to the port of Iquique (two of them made two arrivals between January and March) (Source: Global Fishing Watch)

Peru Stands Firm on Port Entry Controls for Chinese Fishing Vessels, Shifting Focus to Chilean Ports

PERU
Friday, May 16, 2025, 06:00 (GMT + 9)

Citing the refusal of Chinese vessels to adopt Peru's satellite tracking system (SISESAT), Peruvian authorities have effectively redirected these ships to Chilean ports like Iquique and Talcahuano, raising concerns among Peruvian and now Chilean fishing stakeholders about illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing.

Peru maintains a steadfast policy requiring foreign fishing vessels to utilize its satellite positioning system (SISESAT) as a prerequisite for port entry, a stance that has seemingly redirected Chinese fishing fleets to ports in neighboring Chile, specifically Iquique and Talcahuano. In recent months, nearly 20 Chinese vessels have sought refuge in Chilean ports and shipyards. Currently, two more vessels with a history of alleged illegal fishing are awaiting authorization from Chinese authorities to enter Chilean shipyards.

Peru’s stringent requirement for the installation of SISESAT has effectively barred these vessels, which have consistently refused to adopt the technology, from accessing its ports.

Alfonso Miranda Eyzaguirre, President of the Committee for the Sustainable Management of the Giant Squid of the South Pacific (CALAMASUR), affirmed that the resolute stance demonstrated by both the artisanal and industrial private sectors in Peru, alongside the Ministry of Production (PRODUCE), has yielded tangible results in the global fight against illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing.

He noted that since the enactment of Supreme Decree Nº 014-2024-PRODUCE, which reinstated the mandatory use of Peru’s satellite tracking device (SISESAT) for all foreign squid fishing vessels seeking entry into Peruvian ports, the presence of Chinese fishing vessels in Peru has been minimized.

Sin embargo, Miranda Eyzaguirre señaló que estas embarcaciones parecen haber desplazado sus operaciones logísticas hacia Chile.

However, Miranda Eyzaguirre pointed out that these vessels appear to have shifted their logistical operations towards Chile.

“According to data from Global Fishing Watch, since the Peruvian regulation came into effect, twelve arrivals of Chinese squid fishing vessels have been recorded in the Chilean ports of Iquique, Valparaíso, and Talcahuano, seeking the port services that Peru previously provided,” he specified.

He further added that six more vessels are reportedly awaiting authorization to enter Chilean shipyards.

The head of CALAMASUR expressed his concern that this situation has begun to alarm Chilean fishermen in recent days, who have detected the presence of at least five Chinese vessels waiting to enter the Chilean Navy Shipyard (ASMAR) in Talcahuano.

Among these is the vessel Fu Yuan Yu 7872 (IMO: 9874064), which, according to Bait to Plate, was sanctioned by the U.S. Department of the Treasury for its alleged involvement in the illegal transshipment of thousands of sharks in 2017 and for accusations of forced labor and violence on board.

Click on the image to enlarge. Photo: The Outlaw Ocean Project / Bait-to-Plate

Position of Fu Yuan Yu 7872 and four other squid-producing vessels (on May 14, 2025) awaiting entry into the Chilean Navy Shipyard and Workshop (ASMAR) (Source: VesselFinder)

Miranda Eyzaguirre revealed a similar situation with the vessel Hua Ying 819 (IMO: 8776526), which was operating off the coast of Ecuador on May 6th before abruptly changing course and traveling over 2,700 kilometers to position itself off Iquique, where it is reportedly awaiting entry authorization.

Click on the image to enlarge. Photo: The Outlaw Ocean Project / Bait-to-Plate

Voyage of the vessel Hua Ying 819 prior to its arrival in Iquique, Chile (Source: Vessel Finder).

He recalled that this particular Chinese vessel was sanctioned in 2019 by Peruvian and Chilean authorities for illegally entering Peruvian waters, allegedly engaging in illegal fishing, and providing false information to authorities during the intervention.

Arrival trajectory of the vessel Pu Yuan 808 on December 8, 2024, to the port of Talcahuano, Chile (Source: Global Fishing Watch). Click on the image to enlarge.

The President of CALAMASUR believes that the response of the Chinese fleet confirms the positive impact of the Peruvian regulation on the country's interests

"The Peruvian regulation is working. These vessels have preferred to migrate rather than comply with the minimal requirement of installing the Peruvian satellite equipment, the cost of which is not exorbitant. This reinforces the sector's suspicions regarding their repeated refusal to be monitored. This has not contributed to generating transparency and trust in their operations in the country," Miranda stated.

"The Peruvian regulation is working. These vessels have preferred to migrate rather than comply with the minimal requirement of installing the Peruvian satellite equipment, the cost of which is not exorbitant. This reinforces the sector's suspicions regarding their repeated refusal to be monitored. This has not contributed to generating transparency and trust in their operations in the country," Miranda stated.

Meanwhile, Pascual Aguilera, a member of CALAMASUR in Chile and spokesperson for the National Alliance for the Defense of Artisanal Fishing in Chile, shared the concern of his sector regarding the novel presence of these vessels in Chilean waters.

Aguilera believes that if the Chilean government does not replicate the regulatory innovations implemented by its Peruvian counterpart, they will have to become accustomed to hosting hundreds of Chinese vessels with a history of illegal fishing in Chilean seas.

“These vessels, which are not exactly known for their good behavior, are apparently preferring to enter their country. Unfortunately, their authorities do not require them to use their satellite positioning system. Peru closed the door on them, and now Chile is opening it. Therefore, I urge the fishermen and women of Chile to remain vigilant regarding the presence of these ships in their waters,” Aguilera asserted.

Arrival trajectory of the vessel Hai Lí on January 14, 2025, to the port of Valparaíso (Source: Global Fishing Watch). Click on the image to enlarge.

Miranda Eyzaguirre concluded that, faced with Peru's firm stance, Chinese vessels have seemingly found in Chilean ports a logistical alternative with lower standards of monitoring, control, and surveillance.

In this regard, he stated that this situation opens a new regional discussion about shared responsibilities in the face of illegal fishing in the South Pacific.

“This issue should be discussed bilaterally between Chile and Peru, with the aim of establishing a common standard for the protection of the seas,” he finalized.

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