China's fleet stirs suspicions

The ships are situated near strategically vital waters.

One Essential Read One Essential Read Recommended by Kate Turton, Newsletter Editor China’s fishing fleet raises concerns off Argentina   A drone view shows crew members aboard a squid jigger vessel operating outside Argentina's exclusive economic zone off the coast of Argentina. REUTERS/Agustin Marcarian A new front has emerged in concerns over China's global fishing fleet: the squid fishing fleet off the coast of Argentina. Around 200 Chinese fishing vessels spend months at a time each year near the South American country’s waters. The size of the flotilla has increased by nearly 50% over the last decade. In that time, Buenos Aires has bulked up its surveillance.  But according to interviews with four Argentine and four US former and current officials, fears of overfishing remain, as do suspicions of intelligence gathering. Read the graphic article   Sponsors are not involved in the creation of newsletters or other Reuters news content. Advertise in this newsletter or on Reuters' website   Reuters One Essential Read is sent three days a week. Think your friend or colleague should know about us? Forward this newsletter to them. They can also sign up here. Want to stop receiving this email? Unsubscribe here. To manage which newsletters you're signed up for, click here. This email includes limited tracking for Reuters to understand whether you’ve engaged with its contents. For more information on how we process your personal information and your rights, please see our Privacy Statement. Terms & Conditions   © 2026 Thomson Reuters. All rights reserved. 3 Times Square, New York, NY 10036