Chinese Fishing Boats Not Involved in Any Illegal Fishing in French Polynesia

No Chinese fishing boats in French Polynesia is involved in any illegal fishing, Beijing has emphasized. The Consul in Papeete described the claims as baseless and malicious.

However, on social media, there's much discussion on China's presence amid claims that there are poaching and suggestions of a cover-up. Moreover, an online petition has attracted more than 10,000 signatures asking the government of French Polynesia to ban Chinese tuna fishing vessels from its waters outright.

Shen Zhiliang, China's counsel described the rumours as baseless and malicious. He said China is also monitoring the situation. "We have very strict laws and fishing businesses keep an eye on their boats day and night." The Chinese consulate had already issued a written statement last month highlighting that the Chinese boats are complying with the UN rules.

Claude Davio, the chairman of the board of the Papeete fishing port said the usual base for the Chinese boats was in Suva, Fiji. But it saves them time to drop their catch in Papeete. Davio said the boats were entering their zone. "They are allowed to cross our zone but they don't fish." In regards to the Chinese boats stopping in Papeete, Davio said the local businesses could earn millions of dollars as the boats need maintenance work done before heading out into the international waters again. "While China, Taiwan, South Korea, Spain and the US fish millions of tonnes to the west for us, we only take 6,000 tonnes in our waters and only with French Polynesian fishermen. No one else comes here under threat of very hefty fines and international repercussions."