Correspondence
Email sent to two contact addresses for Argentina's Fisheries Secretariat.
The email asked the following questions: "A review of Argentine Federal Fishing Council documents indicates that Chinese-owned companies in Argentina now control at least 57 industrial fishing vessels that operate under the Argentine flag and hold domestic fishing licenses. Is that figure correct? If not, is the number higher or lower?
How many Argentine-flagged industrial fishing vessels with domestic fishing licenses are there? How many Argentine-flagged squid jiggers with domestic fishing licenses are there?
What is the impact of growing Chinese control in the Argentine fishing industry?
In 2017, the Federal Fishing Council granted domestic fishing licenses to Zhou Yu 9 and Zhou Yu 10. Their ultimate owner is China National Fisheries Corporation. Why did the Council grant those licenses when a year previously the Argentine coastguard sank a CNFC vessel for illegal fishing?
Is this regulation barring the granting of domestic fishing licenses to fishing vessels or companies with connections to illegal fishing in Argentine waters still in effect? If so, did granting licenses to the Zhou Yu 9 and Zhou Yu 10 breach that regulation?
What penalties were imposed on the Lu Qing Yuan Yu 280 for the recorded cases of fish dumping which occurred on board in early 2020? Why was the vessel permitted to retain its domestic fishing license?
Why was the Lu Qing Yuan Yu 279 granted an Argentine fishing license given its record of disembarking dead or ill crew in Montevideo?
What involvement has the Fishing Secretariat had in the investigation of Chinese-owned fishing companies in Mar del Plata for alleged tax evasion (which led to raids and several arrests in 2019)? How is that investigation progressing? Has any criminal behaviour been identified?
Is the Fishing Secretariat currently investigating any allegations of labor exploitation, illegal fishing, environmental abuses or financial wrongdoing by the following Chinese-owned, Argentine companies: Altamare S.A, Arbumasa S.A., Dalian Huafeng Aquatic Products S.A., Ardapez S.A., Cheng I, Chiarpesca, COFC Argentina S.A., Fenix International, Muelle Ocho, Pesquera 20 De Noviembre S.A., Illex Fishing, Pesquera Latina S.A., Argamar S.A.? If yes, what do those allegations involve? How far have the investigations progressed? What penalties will likely be applied?"