EU Faces Pressure to Confront China Over Squid Fishing in the South Pacific

Brussels – Latin American NGOs and fishermen are urging the European Union to take stronger action against China’s large-scale squid fishing operations in the southeast Pacific Ocean, citing concerns about declining fish stocks and potential human rights abuses. The call for intervention comes ahead of crucial talks at the South Pacific Regional Fisheries Management Organisation (SPRFMO) in Panama from March 2 to 6, 2026.

The Scale of China’s Squid Fishing

China has significantly increased its annual landings of jumbo flying squid, exceeding 400,000 metric tons according to recent reports. This surge in fishing activity has prompted concerns about the sustainability of the fishery and the impact on local communities that depend on it.

Calamasur, a coalition of fishing groups from Chile, Ecuador, Mexico, and Peru, reports that China has harvested nearly five million tons of squid in the region over the past decade. They describe the fishing as occurring at a “voracious” pace and are calling for concrete measures to be implemented at the upcoming SPRFMO meeting.

EU’s Role and Concerns

While European vessels have a limited direct presence in the area, the EU is a significant importer of squid caught in the southeast Pacific, with much of it entering the Union through Spain. However, tracking these imports is complicated by the lack of a specific trade code for squid within the international CN system.

The EU is a member of the SPRFMO, which is tasked with the conservation and sustainable use of fishery resources in the South Pacific Ocean as outlined on the SPRFMO website. The upcoming meeting in Panama will focus on addressing illegal fishing practices and establishing effective management measures.

Human Rights Concerns

Recent investigations by the Environmental Justice Foundation (EJF) have revealed potential human rights violations on Chinese squid fishing vessels operating in the region. Half of the crew members interviewed by the EJF reported experiencing physical abuse. The EJF highlights that Chinese long-haul ships can remain at sea for over a year, making it tricky for workers to report mistreatment.

Calls for Action

Alfonso Miranda, president of Calamasur, emphasized the need for the EU and its allies to move beyond rhetoric and take concrete political action at the SPRFMO meeting. He specifically called for the agreement of long-delayed fishing quotas in international waters where China operates, stating, “The largest squid fishery in the world cannot be managed like this. It’s like driving a Ferrari blindfolded.”

SPRFMO Membership

The SPRFMO includes 26 members from Asia, Europe, the Americas, and Oceania, including Australia, China, the European Union, New Zealand, Peru, the United States, and Vanuatu according to the organization’s website.

The 14th meeting of the SPRFMO is scheduled to be held in Panama in March 2026, where nine conservation and management proposals – proposed by Ecuador, Peru, the United States, South Korea, the European Union, and New Zealand – will be discussed as reported by SeafoodSource.