Peru Pushes Domestic Satellite System as Chinese Squid Fleet Collectively "Disappears"!
Peru's mandatory SISESAT satellite monitoring system for foreign squid jiggers faces its first real test as the 2025 South Pacific squid season progresses. Data from Peru's Ministry of Production shows that in six months, apart from one Chinese squid jigger that applied to enter port due to a sudden illness, the rest of the Chinese fleet has almost "collectively disappeared" from Peru's monitoring system.
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Peru Pushes Domestic Satellite System as Chinese Squid Fleet Collectively "Disappears"!
As the 2025 South Pacific squid fishing season progresses, an important regulatory measure established by the Peruvian government last year—mandating that foreign squid jiggers install the domestically developed SISESAT satellite monitoring system—is facing its first test of effectiveness. However, data from Peru's Ministry of Production shows that within six months, apart from one Chinese squid jigger that applied to enter port due to a sudden illness, the rest of the Chinese fleet has almost "collectively disappeared" from Peru's monitoring system.
Six Months into the New Rule, Only One Chinese Vessel Has Applied to Enter Port
In September 2024, Peru's Ministry of Production issued Supreme Decree No. 014-2024-PRODUCE, explicitly requiring all foreign-flagged squid jiggers entering Peruvian ports to install the domestically developed SISESAT satellite system, enabling round-the-clock positioning and tracking, automatic alerts for no-fishing zones, and real-time power-off warnings. This regulation was regarded as a key measure to strengthen fishery resource protection and address chaotic port management.
According to Peruvian government notifications, from the decree's official entry into force until March 2025, only one Chinese squid jigger's port entry application was received nationwide, and that was due to a crew health emergency. Compared with the record of nearly 400 port entries by the Chinese fleet into Peruvian ports in 2024 under the pretext of "port calls for supplies," the phenomenon of "collective disappearance" in 2025 has drawn widespread attention in the industry.
Chinese Fleet Shifts to Chile for Supplies, Avoiding SISESAT Monitoring
The South Pacific Jumbo Flying Squid Sustainable Development Committee (CALAMASUR) pointed out that the Chinese distant-water fleet has not withdrawn from the main South Pacific squid fishing grounds, but has instead shifted on a large scale to Chilean ports for supplies and logistics operations. Although this "technical evasion" does not directly violate the provisions of the Peruvian decree, it effectively bypasses the regulatory requirements of the SISESAT system, making it impossible for Peru to grasp the real-time operational trajectories of the vessels concerned.
CALAMASUR President Alfonso Miranda warned: "Although the Chinese fleet no longer enters Peruvian ports, it remains active near the boundary of our exclusive economic zone. Without the SISESAT system, it is difficult for us to determine whether they have crossed the line, and law enforcement agencies cannot grasp the dynamics in real time."
Satellite "Mutual Recognition of Signals" Clause Becomes the Focus of Controversy
According to Decree No. 014, foreign fleets may have their home governments provide equivalent satellite data in place of connecting to the SISESAT system. This "mutual recognition of signals" clause was originally intended to leave room for technical cooperation, but has now become the main basis for the Chinese fleet's refusal to install SISESAT.
The Chinese fleet generally states that the BeiDou system it uses can already meet Peru's positioning requirements, and that installing the SISESAT system poses technical incompatibility issues. However, multiple Peruvian experts point out that BeiDou system data must be forwarded by Chinese agencies, and cannot meet Peru's core regulatory requirements for real-time capability, completeness, and non-tamperability.
Peruvian engineering and technical personnel point out that the core advantage of the SISESAT system lies in its seamless integration with the country's law enforcement system: once a violation occurs, it can automatically issue alerts and initiate rapid response procedures. At present, however, the Chinese side has not provided the corresponding interface and data authorization mechanism.
Regulatory Gaps Remain, Peru Faces Follow-Up Enforcement Challenges
At present, the Chinese fleet remains the main force participating in squid resource fishing in the South Pacific. According to 2024 data, the number of Chinese distant-water squid jiggers has reached 522, accounting for the vast majority of vessels operating in these waters. As the fleet continues to expand, pressure on Peru's local fishery resources continues to intensify, and voices of backlash from fishermen and environmental organizations keep growing.
Although the Peruvian government has attempted to strengthen regulation of foreign distant-water fishing vessels through institutional reform, the dual technical and enforcement challenges facing the SISESAT system remain unresolved. The current regulatory situation shows that unless the "mutual recognition of signals" clause is clearly restricted, SISESAT will be difficult to achieve complete coverage effectiveness in actual operation.
In the coming months, as the fishing season enters its peak, Peru may face a new round of tests over whether to revise the decree and further strengthen enforcement mechanisms.
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