Argentina achieves the greatest progress in illegal fishing control in 2025

Argentina  has become the country that has made the most progress in the fight against illegal fishing worldwide, thanks to an ambitious modernization process led by the government of Javier Milei. The complete elimination of illegal fishing activities in the Argentine Sea constitutes a historic milestone that positions the Argentine Republic as an international model in maritime surveillance, protection of natural resources, and sovereignty over its waters.

According to the most recent report from the Strategic Observatory of Maritime Resources (OERM) of the Latin American Foundation for Fisheries Sustainability (FULASP), so far in 2025, a total of 301 fishing vessels have been identified and monitored operating near the 201st mile, a critical area of the South Atlantic. This detection capability was made possible by the comprehensive modernization of the Coast Guard System, which now features satellite technology with synthetic aperture radars (SAR), increasing operational efficiency by 65% and reducing image analysis times from 45 to just 10 minutes, without incurring additional costs for the State.

These advances have made it possible, for the first time in history, to exercise effective control over the entire 200th mile, a key area for the protection of national fishery resources. This is evidenced by the "Mare Nostrum I, II, and III" operations, carried out between February and April, which not only served to identify illegal behaviors but also to apply the first electronic fine to a foreign vessel, the Xin Run 579, a Chinese-flagged ship.

"This measure marks a turning point in the application of penalties against illegal fishing. It's a direct message to those who intend to plunder our waters," stated Raúl Cereseto, president of FULASP and a key figure in aerial patrol operations. Cereseto also highlighted that 82.7% of the vessels detected in the area are Chinese-flagged, which demonstrates the threat posed by the Asian foreign fleet in the South Atlantic.

Argentina's success on this front is due, in large part, to the incorporation of aircraft such as the P-3C Orion and modern surface units acquired by the current administration, which have enhanced real-time surveillance and facilitated coordination with the Armed Forces. These resources, together with integrated databases and electronic nautical charts, have enabled an unprecedented level of coordination and technical precision.

"The coordinated work and strengthening of operational and technological resources implemented in recent months allow us to send a clear message to the world today: Argentina will no longer tolerate the plundering of its natural resources," emphasized Cereseto.

If this pace of modernization is maintained, the OERM - FULASP report projects that Argentina could rank among the three most effective countries in the world in the fight against illegal fishing, also leading this cause regionally in Latin America in the coming years.