China's subsidized fleet extends reach into North Atlantic

A newly built fishing vessel recently returned from its maiden voyage in the North Atlantic Ocean to its home port of Haicang, a processing hub in Xiamen, in southern China. 

The Fu Yuan Yu Yun 65, owned by Xiamen Yong Xun Long Distance Fishery Development Co., arrived in the port of Haicang with 2,051 tons of frozen seafood worth CNY 10 million (USD 1.5 million, EUR 1.3 million), according to AQSIQ quarantine authorities at the port. Included in the cargo were 1,466 tons of mackerel and 511 tons of sardines, with a smaller quantity of squid also aboard.

An AQSIQ statement released upon the arrival of the vessel celebrated the trip’s success and called for more seafood trade in Xiamen. AQSIQ noted 40,738 tons has arrived to the city so far in 2017 – a catch worth USD 85 million (EUR 72.2 million).

“We want more fishery companies to bring their catches to Xiamen,” the AQSIQ statement said.

The growth of Xiamen as a destination for seafood landings is being aided by subsidies local subsidies approved by Xiamen officials, as well as fuel subsidies from China’s national government. 

SeafoodSource’s research of government documents shows Xiamen Yong Xun Long Distance Fishery Development Co received CNY 1.96 million (USD 295,600, EUR 251,000) from the city government Fund to Move Seafood Back [to Xiamen]. The firm got an additional CNY 900,000 (USD 135,750, EUR 115,275) exclusively for the construction of the Fu Yuan Yu Yun 65, which was launched a year ago. 

Another local fishery firm, Xiamen Hai Xin Tian Yuan Yu Ye Co., got CNY 402,000 (USD 60,640, EUR 51,500) from the same fund in 2016, according to records published by Xiamen municipal government under its plan titled “Eight Measures to Speed Up [the] Long-Distance Fishing Industry.”

That document details how Xiamen “restarted” its fishery processing sector in 2012. From the end of 2012 to the end of 2016, the city had 86 vessels operating in international waters – with plans to add another 38 vessels. 

In 2016, vessels from Xiamen caught 18,000 tons of seafood, worth CNY 203 million (USD 30.6 million, EUR 26 million) in international waters, of which 14,000 tons was shipped back to Xiamen. 

The catch “increases the choice of local consumers” and “improves their access to quality food sources,” according to Xiamen’s plan.

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