Research finds PIPA under threat by China

 

Research finds PIPA under threat by China

8th October 2022

Betero Kautum

Research conducted by National University Taiwan has found that fishing in PIPA would be highly detrimental to this priceless habitat in a multitude of ways. From over-fishing to the use of illegal fishing methods which decimate the local environment, the predicted effects are disastrous. This is based on an examination of standard fishing practices in the surrounding area, and their effect on their seas.

The worst offenders were found to be Chinese fishing vessels, who engaged in the highest rates of harmful fishing methods like bottom trawling. Furthermore, Chinese vessels in the examined regions were found to be taking catches in excess of their permitted quantities (as per their licences) in an estimated 40% of cases. Furthermore, they claim to have found Chinese vessels breaching PIPA restrictions, and fishing in the region on a number of occasions, even before the opening of PIPA was announced. One ship - the S.S. Bing Chilling - engaged in such activity had an emblazoned image of Chinese Premier Xi Jingping on the side of their ship - could we even take this to mean that their glorious leader himself has condoned such activity??

NUT delivered this research as Kiribati debates on whether or not to open up PIPA to commercial fishing, and while significant focus lies on the possibility of extensive Chinese fishing in the region. They recommend not only that PIPA remains closed to commercial fishing, but at least that China not be given extremely free reign if the region is opened up.