“We haven't seen any Humboldt squid for three months. These ships are like termites in the ecosystem.”
The presence of a large 
fishing fleet off northern Chile has raised concerns among small-scale fishermen and maritime authorities amid suspicions of illegal fishing and the depletion of Humboldt squid — one of the most valuable resources for small-scale fisheries in the region.
The vessels are said to be operating just a few miles from the boundary of Chile's EEZ. Their presence has caused a sharp drop in catches in recent months.
boats appear to be disrupting the natural migration of Humboldt squid toward the coast.
About 66 vessels have been detected off Iquique and more than 160 in transit between Arica and the northern border, all operating outside Chile's 200-nautical-mile exclusive limit.
Maritime Safety and Operations claims that no fishing activity has been confirmed within Chile's EEZ.
National Fisheries Service (Sernapesca) claims that all foreign vessels docking at Chilean ports are rigorously inspected, with checks on logbooks, cargo and product traceability.
As of Sep 30, port officials had received 157 docking requests from foreign vessels, approving 139 and rejecting 18 for failing to meet requirements.
Fishermen's unions are demanding stronger offshore surveillance and continuous monitoring of foreign vessels. They argue that neither the Navy nor Sernapesca has sufficient resources to oversee a fleet of more than 150 ships in constant motion.
"We want a government presence, drones and coordination with neighboring countries. This isn't just about protecting the Humboldt squid — it's about safeguarding the entire marine ecosystem.”
The presence of fishing vessels near Chile has been reported in previous years, but the current scale is unprecedented. The fleet is targeting Humboldt squid in international waters of the South Pacific, though its proximity to Chile's coast has intensified complaints.
Fishing organizations warn that the sharp rise in vessels docking at Chilean ports may be linked to a change in the Asian fleet's route, as ships shift to Chilean facilities amid tighter inspections in Peru.
The number of fishing vessels arriving at Chilean ports has surged — up 1,628% in less than a year.
There has been a notable change in port arrivals of vessels in South America.
In 2023 and 2024, Peruvian ports received 155 and 205 vessels, while Chilean ports recorded only 5 and 7, respectively. That changed dramatically this year: vessels stopped calling at Peruvian ports and began docking in Chile, totaling 121 arrivals to date.
In 2020, several cases were detected in which Asian vessels turned off their AIS near the edge of Peru's EEZ before entering to use Peruvian port services.
This led to tighter regulations requiring vessels to carry Peruvian satellite tracking devices, but instead of complying with the rule, vessels exploited a legal loophole by requesting emergency entry permits.
Throughout 2024, Peru's small-scale fishing sector, which targets Humboldt squid, filed multiple complaints about suspected illegal fishing maneuvers by vessels. In response, Peruvian authorities tightened entry requirements for access to the country's EEZ.
The loophole was closed at the end of 2024, and since then no vessels have been recorded entering Peruvian waters.
China's distant-water fishing fleet is among the largest operating in international waters and, in South America, primarily targets Humboldt squid — known as jibia in Chile — spending long periods along the South American coast.
It was reported in 2020 that many vessels had turned off their AIS trackers 
possible illegal activity.
Since then, Ecuador, Peru and Chile have maintained monitoring and control systems — pushed by small-scale fishers, local communities and civil society groups — to ensure the fleet does not operate within their EEZs.
upi.com/amp/Top_News/W
fishing fleet off northern Chile has raised concerns among small-scale fishermen and maritime authorities amid suspicions of illegal fishing and the depletion of Humboldt squid — one of the most valuable resources for small-scale fisheries in the region.
The vessels are said to be operating just a few miles from the boundary of Chile's EEZ. Their presence has caused a sharp drop in catches in recent months.
boats appear to be disrupting the natural migration of Humboldt squid toward the coast.
About 66 vessels have been detected off Iquique and more than 160 in transit between Arica and the northern border, all operating outside Chile's 200-nautical-mile exclusive limit.
Maritime Safety and Operations claims that no fishing activity has been confirmed within Chile's EEZ.
National Fisheries Service (Sernapesca) claims that all foreign vessels docking at Chilean ports are rigorously inspected, with checks on logbooks, cargo and product traceability.
As of Sep 30, port officials had received 157 docking requests from foreign vessels, approving 139 and rejecting 18 for failing to meet requirements.
Fishermen's unions are demanding stronger offshore surveillance and continuous monitoring of foreign vessels. They argue that neither the Navy nor Sernapesca has sufficient resources to oversee a fleet of more than 150 ships in constant motion.
"We want a government presence, drones and coordination with neighboring countries. This isn't just about protecting the Humboldt squid — it's about safeguarding the entire marine ecosystem.”
The presence of fishing vessels near Chile has been reported in previous years, but the current scale is unprecedented. The fleet is targeting Humboldt squid in international waters of the South Pacific, though its proximity to Chile's coast has intensified complaints.
Fishing organizations warn that the sharp rise in vessels docking at Chilean ports may be linked to a change in the Asian fleet's route, as ships shift to Chilean facilities amid tighter inspections in Peru.
The number of fishing vessels arriving at Chilean ports has surged — up 1,628% in less than a year.
There has been a notable change in port arrivals of vessels in South America.
In 2023 and 2024, Peruvian ports received 155 and 205 vessels, while Chilean ports recorded only 5 and 7, respectively. That changed dramatically this year: vessels stopped calling at Peruvian ports and began docking in Chile, totaling 121 arrivals to date.
In 2020, several cases were detected in which Asian vessels turned off their AIS near the edge of Peru's EEZ before entering to use Peruvian port services.
This led to tighter regulations requiring vessels to carry Peruvian satellite tracking devices, but instead of complying with the rule, vessels exploited a legal loophole by requesting emergency entry permits.
Throughout 2024, Peru's small-scale fishing sector, which targets Humboldt squid, filed multiple complaints about suspected illegal fishing maneuvers by vessels. In response, Peruvian authorities tightened entry requirements for access to the country's EEZ.
The loophole was closed at the end of 2024, and since then no vessels have been recorded entering Peruvian waters.
China's distant-water fishing fleet is among the largest operating in international waters and, in South America, primarily targets Humboldt squid — known as jibia in Chile — spending long periods along the South American coast.
It was reported in 2020 that many vessels had turned off their AIS trackers possible illegal activity.
Since then, Ecuador, Peru and Chile have maintained monitoring and control systems — pushed by small-scale fishers, local communities and civil society groups — to ensure the fleet does not operate within their EEZs.
upi.com/amp/Top_News/W