China expected to mount strong defense against US-backed maritime surveillance

The Chinese squid fishing vessel Fu Yuan Yu 7880 sails on the Pacific Ocean on July 18, 2021. The Pingtan-affiliated vessel was arrested by South Africa in 2016 after it tried to flee a naval patrol that suspected it of illegal squid fishing. (Photo: AP)

SAN FRANCISCO: Four allied countries are working on a new high-tech method of cracking down on illegal fishing, one of the Asia-Pacific region’s biggest issues at sea. The initiative would hold violators accountable and draw countries together for the cause.