Russian officials have warned Chinese counterparts of a tougher enforcement of fishing laws and quality standards on Chinese vessels operating in Russian waters during the annual meeting of the China-Russia Fishing Cooperation Group in Vladivostok recently.
According to notes of the meeting by Chinese fisheries officials, Russia also demanded “continued improvements in hygiene standards” on Chinese vessels and wants to have the right to put observers on Chinese (and other international vessels) in Russian waters. This move appears an effort to raise standards on vessels which are catching and processing fish for the Russian market.
A Chinese delegation of 21 representing government and eight fishing firms - led by Liu Xin Zhong, head of the fisheries regulation office at the agriculture ministry – was told that Russia is this year tightening patrols of its fisheries for all foreign vessels.
During the meeting, both sides also discussed 2016 incursions by unlicensed Chinese vessels into Russian waters. Furthermore, a protocol was agreed for joint development and protection of the fishing resources in the Ussuri River, which runs between China and Russia.
