U.S. House Committee Accuses China of Widespread IUU Fishing, Citing National Security Threat

U.S. Lawmakers Detail Allegations Against China's Fishing Practices

A U.S. House Select Committee has released an investigation accusing China of being the world's largest perpetrator of illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing. The report, issued by the U.S. House Select Committee on Strategic Competition between the United States and the Chinese Communist Party, in conjunction with the House Homeland Security Committee's Transportation and Maritime Security Subcommittee, claims that China utilizes its extensive distant-water fishing fleet for purposes beyond commercial enterprise, including intimidation and control.

The investigation, released around January 15, 2026, highlights concerns over the fleet's impact on global food security, marine ecosystems, and U.S. national security.

The Scale and Scope of China's Distant-Water Fleet

The U.S. committee's report estimates China's distant-water fishing fleet to comprise approximately 16,000 vessels, making it the largest in the world. This armada is alleged to operate globally, often far from China's shores, and is described by U.S. Representative Carlos Giménez as 'not a commercial enterprise; it is a weapon of the Chinese Communist Party.' The report asserts that the fleet is deployed to:

• Strip resources from nations
• Exploit forced labor
• Destroy marine ecosystems
• Dominate global seafood supply chains

The committee further states that the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) commands this fleet 'like a military force,' using it to project power and evade enforcement.

National Security and Economic Implications

Lawmakers, including Chairman John Moolenaar of the Select Committee on China, have expressed significant concerns regarding the implications for U.S. national security and economic sovereignty. The investigation points out that more than 80 percent of seafood consumed in the United States is imported, with a substantial portion moving through supply chains dominated by China. This dependence, coupled with China's alleged manipulation of global food systems, is seen as a direct threat. Allegations of forced labor and human rights abuses within these fleets were also highlighted, often going unchecked as China consolidates its control over seafood processing worldwide.

China's Response to Accusations

In response to such accusations, China has consistently refuted claims of widespread IUU fishing. Chinese officials have stated that the IUU activities of individual fishing vessels should not be broadly attributed to the country as a whole, calling such sweeping identifications 'political manipulation.' China maintains that it is a responsible country committed to the sustainable use of international fisheries resources and has strengthened its fisheries legislation and enforcement mechanisms. In some instances, Chinese officials have invited diplomats on tours of fishery facilities to provide an 'objective evaluation' of their operations. China also claims to have implemented measures such as mandatory vessel monitoring systems, a registration system for captains violating rules, and improved data collection.