Why do larger trawlers operate in the East China Sea?

The East China Sea is a region of high marine-life productivity, supporting active fishing industries from China, Japan, and North and South Korea. While the majority of fishing in the area is conducted by small local boats, larger trawlers are also utilized to harvest the sea's abundant resources, which include tuna, mackerel, shrimp, sardines, milkfish, sea breams, croakers, shellfish, and seaweeds.1

The use of these larger vessels is part of the broader, intensive fishing activity in the region, which is one of the most heavily fished areas in the world. It is important to note that the high level of fishing activity, driven by large human populations in bordering countries, has contributed to concerns regarding overfishing and the impairment of coastal habitats. Sustainable management of these fisheries is a critical ethical responsibility to ensure the long-term health of marine ecosystems and the food security of the populations that rely on them.1234