South Africa Intercepts Four Chinese Fishing Vessels for Entering Waters Without Authorisation

South Africa has intercepted four Chinese fishing vessels after they allegedly entered the country’s exclusive economic zone without permission, triggering a coordinated response from multiple government agencies.

The vessels, owned by Shenzhen Shuiwan Pelagic Fisheries, were stopped and placed under guard in Cape Town, according to Forestry, Fisheries and Environment Minister Willie Aucamp.

Authorities said the ships initially requested “innocent passage” through South African waters on Feb. 23, indicating they would leave the area by March 3. However, days later they sought authorisation to operate beyond port limits without providing the required documentation.

During that period, the vessels repeatedly switched off their automatic identification system transponders while already operating inside South Africa’s territorial waters.

Officials detected the ships within 12 nautical miles of the KwaZulu-Natal coastline before tracking them as they moved south along the Eastern Cape shoreline.

“South Africa will not tolerate the unlawful use of its maritime zones,” Aucamp said.

The vessels were fined 400,000 rand (about $24,000), which was paid immediately. Authorities later released the ships, which have since departed South African waters.