Vanuatu-flagged vessel fined for illegal fishing in Argentina’s waters
January 15, 2026 10:04 pm | Posted in Business News | Share now TwitterFacebook
Compiled by Doddy Morris.
A Vanuatu-registered fishing vessel, the Bao Feng, has been fined by Argentine authorities after being detected operating illegally within Argentina’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) off the coast of Chubut province.
According to Radio Mitre, the Argentine Naval Prefecture detected the Bao Feng sailing within mile 200 of the EEZ for more than an hour. The vessel was moving at a speed of less than 4 knots, a pattern considered a clear indication of fishing activity under current regulations. The incident occurred in the afternoon and was recorded by official monitoring platforms using the advanced Guardacostas System, which integrates satellite and radar data to track maritime activity in real time.
“We know who they are and what they were doing; they were sailing less than 4 knots in our exclusive economic zone, and that means only one thing: they were fishing illegally,” said Minister of National Security Alejandra Monteoliva.
The Ministry of Security applied a millionaire fine to the vessel’s operators under Argentina’s Federal Fisheries Regime Law. The case comes amid an increased presence of foreign fleets near mile 201, particularly during the squid fishing season, with hundreds of ships, mostly Asian, spotted in recent months.
Additional details reported by iProfesional on 12 January 2026 indicate that the Bao Feng’s manoeuvring was considered particularly risky, as vessels operating in that part of the EEZ risk collisions and environmental damage to seabed habitats. The report also noted that this is not the first time vessels flagged to small Pacific nations have been detected in foreign waters without permits. According to iProfesional, the Argentine Prefecture is now reinforcing monitoring efforts and increasing inspections on vessels operating near the 200-mile limit to prevent illegal fishing and ensure compliance with international maritime law.
Efforts to reach the Vanuatu Maritime Safety Authority (VMSA) for comment are ongoing. Commissioner Less Napuati has been contacted to provide information on the vessel’s ownership, operators, and current status.
Maritime analysts note that incidents like this highlight the importance of strict monitoring and compliance by vessels flying the Vanuatu flag, especially when operating in foreign waters. Vanuatu remains committed to ensuring that its flagged vessels adhere to international maritime and fishing regulations.
