The Fisheries Administration Bureau will monitor the cases and ensure that all criminals are prosecuted by the coast guard and public security departm

'China Fisheries Law Enforcement 2025' Raid Seizes 40 Illegal Vessels, Over 1,000 Tons of Catch

CHINA
Tuesday, September 02, 2025, 00:10 (GMT + 9)

Operation targets disguised vessels and illegal fishing, leading to the largest bust of its kind this year.

The "China Fisheries Administration Sword 2025" special law enforcement operation

ZHEJIANG PROVINCE—In a major crackdown on illegal fishing, the Fisheries Administration Bureau of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs of China, in collaboration with the Zhejiang Provincial Marine and Fisheries Law Enforcement Corps, has seized 40 illegal fishing vessels and more than 1,000 tons of illegal catch in the East China Sea. The operation, dubbed "China Fisheries Sword 2025", took place from August 22 to August 25, 2025, and resulted in the arrest of 442 individuals.

The Operation

The raid was launched following an extensive period of reconnaissance that identified vessels disguised as legal fishing ships. The operation was coordinated from a headquarters in Shipu Town, located in the Xiangshan District of Zhejiang Province. A combined force of 203 officers and 11 patrol vessels from the Zhejiang Corps and local law enforcement agencies in Ningbo, Wenzhou, Zhoushan, and Taizhou participated in the nighttime assault. This bust is considered the largest single operation of its kind this year, with the highest number of vessels, individuals, and illegal catches seized. The seized vessels have been escorted back to port for further investigation.

Disrupting the Fishing Moratorium

The raid specifically targeted vessels that were violating the summer fishing moratorium in the East China Sea. While the moratorium had largely been respected, law enforcement noted a rise in illegal activity after the launch of a special campaign on August 5 for four specific types of fishing vessels: beam trawlers, cages, gillnets, and light-surrounding (or laying) nets. Some of these vessels and their support ships began disguising themselves to illegally fish. The situation was further exacerbated when some trawlers from south of the 26°30° fishing line resumed operations on August 16 and crossed into the East China Sea to engage in illegal activity, seriously disrupting the moratorium.

Broader Implications

The fishing moratorium is a crucial measure for conserving marine resources and ensuring the long-term sustainability of China's fisheries. The Fisheries Administration Bureau has stated it will continue to monitor the progress of the cases, transferring those involved in criminal activity to the coast guard and public security departments for prosecution. The bureau also urged coastal fishery law enforcement agencies to maintain their efforts to conclude the moratorium enforcement and protect the order of the marine fishing industry. This operation underscores the government's commitment to tackling illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing, which poses a significant threat to global marine ecosystems.

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