Crisis at Sea: The Depletion of Southeast Asia's Fisheries

The Center for Strategic and International Studies estimates that 70-95% of fish stocks in Southeast Asian seas have been depleted since the 1950s and are at risk of collapse.

This alarming statistic underscores a crisis with global implications. Approximately half of the world's marine fish catch originates from these waters, according to the United Nations. The United States imports about 50% of its seafood from Asia, with nearly $6.3 billion in trade coming from China, Vietnam, Indonesia, and India. Exports from Southeast Asia to the U.S. alone exceed $5 billion in fish products annually.

Ecological and Economic Impact

Industrial-scale fishing is cited as the primary driver of stock depletion. This includes both illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing and legal overfishing. Destructive methods like demersal trawling and purse seiner nets damage vital coral habitats.

Declining nearshore fish stocks have forced many small-scale fishers to venture farther from shore. Government subsidies for fuel and tax breaks for commercial vessels have historically supported the industry's expansion. A 2001 U.N. report noted that roughly 80% of fishers in the region were small-scale or artisanal.

Human Rights and Labor Conditions

Organizations report cases of abuse, debt bondage, and modern-day slavery in the fishing industry.

• Akbar Fitrian, an Indonesian crewmember, described a 2022 incident where a crewmate was pushed overboard from a Chinese-owned vessel and the captain did not report it.
• Patima Tungpuchayakul, founder of Thailand's Labour Protection Network, says hundreds of fishermen go missing from commercial vessels each year.
• Rosia Wongsuban of the Freedom Fund stated that coercion in the industry is now more debt-based.
• Labor rights activists in Indonesia say recruitment agencies sometimes entrap workers in debt bondage for foreign vessels.

Southeast Asia is described as a hub for such labor, primarily in Thailand and Indonesia, contributing seafood to global supply chains.

Geopolitical Context

IUU fishing is increasingly linked to geopolitical struggles for maritime dominance, particularly in the South China Sea. China has rapidly scaled up its fishing fleets and militias over the past two decades. Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia, and Taiwan have also increased their maritime presence.

Filipino fisherman Donald Carmen reported being harassed by Chinese boats off Palawan in late 2024 and early 2025, which forced him to fish closer to shore and reduced his catch. Tactics reported as used by Chinese fishing militias include water cannons, swarming techniques, military-grade lasers, and ramming fishing boats.

Country-Specific Developments

Thailand

Indigenous Urak Lawoi tribe members on Koh Lipe report a shorter fishing season, fewer fish varieties, and declining catches, leading some to turn to tourism. Local fishermen allege large Thai and Malaysian boats fish illegally at night in protected areas.

In the previous year, artisanal fishermen in Thailand held protests over the rollback of fisheries reforms, arguing it would reduce transparency and revive IUU fishing.

The Philippines

The South China Sea is one of the world's most strategic waterways. China's use of its fishing fleet to control trade routes and dominate territory is reported to threaten the food security and livelihoods of fishers in the region. Its presence is reported to be expanding closer to the Filipino coast.

Indonesia

Poverty and lack of opportunities are cited as factors pushing men into trafficking circles or onto fishing vessels.

Outlook and Context

Nearly 10 million people in the region rely on these fisheries for livelihoods and protein.

The future of these fisheries is described as dependent on consumer demand and political will to enforce laws. The region faces potential ecological collapse, deepening poverty, food insecurity, and social instability if IUU fishing continues. High global demand for seafood, especially from China, the European Union, and North America, fuels industrial-scale operations.

The article notes that decline is not inevitable, citing stronger regional cooperation, transparent supply chains, corporate accountability, and informed consumer choices as potential solutions.

This reporting is based on a nine-month investigation supported by the Fondation Carmignac.