The Silence Of Chinese Embassy in Kenya As Their Vessels Destroy Maritime Raises Questions

The investigative reports and real time stories and devastating effect of now rampant Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated(UUI) fishing in the Indian Ocean by the notorious Chinese vessels is continuously raising more questions than answers. The blue economy and marine ecosystem of the coastline is now under serious attack than before and what are more worrying are unproductive actions/reactions from the relevant authorities mandated to curb the menace. What kind of justification can regulative bodies such as Kenya Maritime Authority(KMA), Kenya Fisheries Services(KFS) and Kenya Coast Guard have allowing Chinese trawlers to have a field day in their blatant marine poaching activities in Indian shores without any substantive action taken against them? Also, where are China and its citizens in the IUU fishing drawing this astonishing confidence for human rights abuse and marine destructions in Indian Ocean knowing they are completely out of reach to face justice system either home or in foreign land?

As for China, there is completely zero public record for any legal action/ sanctions taken against the many notorious licensed IUU fishing criminals in Indian Ocean.  Reports from partners in the fight against IUU fishing like Environmental Justice Foundation (EFJ), points out China as the leading country with many fishing vessels with operational licenses plus several unknown Chinese -owned vessels in Indian Ocean freely rippingmassively from illegal fishing. Currently, there is record 86 Chinese vessels privately owned and state owned linked to fishing crimes and human rights abuses. Shockingly, in Kenya, the Chinese Embassy is keenly following the script of silence with zero statement to shun the act in Indian Ocean. IUU fishing criminals such as Shandong Zhonghlu, Zhejiang Ocean Family Co.Ltd  and China National Agricultural Development Group Co. Ltd are linked to People’s Republic Of China Government yet having been named in many reports but no action or statement from Chinese Embassy on them.

To unwrap some of dark schemes behind China and marine poaching nightmare in Indian Ocean, the is need to question the opaqueness of bilateral trade deals between Kenya and China over time. China’s foreign investment through Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) juxtaposes narrative promising mutual benefits and sustainable development while it’s predominantly secretly associated with unsustainable and illegal extraction of marine resources at the great cost of coastal communities and the vital marine ecosystems. These loans by China linked with the BRI have always received criticism for its opacity and unthinkable high interest rates. Kenya, developing country in acute state of debt and Indian shore is a prime target for China’s juicy but manipulative loans. As of March 2023, Kenya owes China in excess of US$6 billion in terms of loans to finance these BRI projects. The catch here leaves Kenya heavily indebted and feeling obligated to allow China and Chinese fishermen almost full rights to exploit marine resources to their selfish satisfaction at the expense of marine ecosystem and livelihoods of local communities along the Indian Ocean.

Additionally, the opacity associated with the several BRI investments serves as excellent environment for corruption with studies finding out that 35% of infrastructure projects by China are heavy linked to bribery and other scandals like environmental degradation and labour crimes. This is evident for example in Kenya’s trawl/ deep –sea  fishery, in which local crew members from Chinese vessels reported that maritime authorities, Coast guards  associated with identification and prevention of IUU fishing were routinely bribed to silence by Chinese captains tactically to enable IUU fishing. Other than Corruption, bribery and economic blackmail by China on Kenya to exploit Indian Ocean, China is also seems to enjoy political protections  for its activities by the political elites who also stands to have their selfish interests met by these opaque bilateral deals. It beats the logic when there is choreographedsilence by local leaders from top to bottom despite the massive atrocities committed by China in Indian Ocean. Political leaders can longer stand for the blue economy, local livelihoods and marine conservations despite these glaring reports of red flagson IUU fishing. It’s never out of question that they are equally benefiting from these schemes by pricing their silence which China can easily afford at the expense of ‘conduciveenvironment’ for destruction of marine ecosystem.

Local authorities in the fight against IUU such as Kenya Maritime Authority, Kenya Fisheries Services seems to be doing more barking than biting, nothing is forthcoming beyond de-licensing threats, fines and expulsion threats to these notorious Chinese vessels. Also crippled with bribery and other corruptions schemes by China it leaves slim hope for ever stopping China from marine poaching in the Indian Ocean. Kenya seemingly under economic blackmail by China and silence of People’s Government of China through its Chinese Embassy in Kenya is undoubtedly dark scheme to continuously allow marine poaching in the Indian Ocean while hiding behind bilateral interactions. It smells hypocrisy for China to publicly state that it has policy action towards ‘zero tolerance’ to IUU fishing while it fails to take any actions against Chinese vessels in Kenya’s Indian Ocean. No sanctions communicated from the Chinese Embassy, disinterest in aligning with best practices and cooperation with international partners and nothing on transparency of its bilateral deals and activities in the Indian Ocean. China MUST come out and proves that it’s genuine in its tolerance towards IUU fishing and aligns with local and international policies for protecting marine ecosystem and human rights.