Not so long ago, the world’s oceans were filled with different types of fish. Now, a large increase in global overfishing has threatened that supply. According to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization, 90 percent of the world’s fisheries are either being fully exploited, or are at risk of collapsing. With fish supplies running out closer to home, fishermen are traveling further and further to find their catch. Frequently, fishermen are crossing over into other countries’ territories, creating both political and environmental conflict. Overfishing can be found everywhere, from Mexican fishing boats off the U.S. coast of Florida to Russian crabbing boats in the western Bering Sea. However, the impact is felt the strongest in the South China Sea, where many countries have territorial claims. Vietnam, Brunei, the Philippines, Taiwan, Malaysia, and China all consider parts of the sea as their territory. China makes the largest territorial claim and also has the largest presence in the area.
* be filled with ~ = ~으로 가득하다/ overfishing = (어류) 남획/ threaten = 위태롭게 하다, 위협하다/ fishery = (고기가 대량으로 잡히는) 어장/ exploit = (부당하게) 이용하다; 착취하다/ at risk of ~ = ~의 위험에 처한/ collapse = 붕괴되다, 무너지다/ run out = 다 떨어지다/ catch = 어획량/ impact = (강력한) 영향, 충격/ territorial claim = 자기네 영토라는 주장/ presence = 존재(함); 주둔하는 사람들; 주둔군
As fish supplies closer to its shores are depleted, the Chinese government is now helping fishermen crossing borders to find fish. According to the Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative, Chinese Coast Guard boats have been patrolling near Luconia Shoals, off the coast of Malaysia, since 2013. The vessels were there to protect as many as 100 fishing boats from China. Fishermen from Vietnam and the Philippines have accused China of preventing their fishing boats from entering the disputed waters. Some say they even try to ram their boats, or even come on board and take their equipment. The Philippines has been in dispute with China over Scarborough Shoal and the surrounding waters. China has used its navy to keep Filipino fishermen out and encouraged its fishermen to catch in these waters. An international court ruled for the Philippines last July in the territorial dispute but China rejected the ruling. Both countries, however, are expected to sign an agreement later this month on a joint use of these waters. Further south, Indonesia has also seized and destroyed over 300 fishing vessels, from Vietnam, Thailand and the Philippines, for illegal fishing in its waters the past three years.