According to Gard, on 22 September 2023, the China Maritime Safety Administration (MSA) issued two circulars addressing the prevention of collisions between commercial and fishing vessels in Chinese waters. These circulars specifically identify high-risk areas (HRAs) prone to such incidents and provide valuable guidance on collision prevention in these waters.
As explained, mariners on vessels trading to Chinese ports or transiting Chinese waters are recommended to refer to these circulars and implement appropriate measures to minimize the risk of collisions with fishing boats.
High risk areas for collisions between merchant and fishing vessels
In recent years, various provincial MSAs have published information on high risk areas (HRAs) within their administrative waters. This information has been based on extensive research analyzing previous incidents, AIS tracks, traffic patterns, and other factors related to collisions between merchant and fishing vessels. Examples of such information are:
- In 2022, before lifting of the seasonal fishing ban in the East and South China Sea between latitudes 26° 30’ N and 12° N, Fujian MSA released the First batch of ten HRAs for collisions between merchant and fishing vessel in the coastal waters of Fujian Province. A year later, on 7 August 2023, the Second batch of HRAs was published, including two additional HRAs.
- In 2023, prior to lifting of the seasonal fishing ban in the Bohai Sea and Yellow Sea North of latitude 35°N, Shandong MSA issued the circular of HRAs for collisions between commercial and fishing boats. The circular includes 39 HRAs within the coastal waters of Shandong Province.
The circular released by China MSA on 22 September 2023 consolidates and highlights a total of 38 HRAs spanning from north to south across the three sea areas affected by China’s seasonal fishing ban. These are the sea areas north of 35°N , between 35°N and 26° 30’N, and between 26° 30’ N and 12°N.
Guidance for the prevention of collisions with fishing vessels in Chinese waters
The circular on the guidelines for the prevention of collisions between merchant vessels and fishing vessels in the coastal waters of China accompanies the circular on HRAs. This guidance has been revised from the 2021 edition guideline. It provides detailed guidance in three key areas: navigation techniques, collision avoidance actions, and emergency rescue protocols. In particular, it sets out the requirements for the navigation techniques merchant vessels should use when approaching, navigating in or near an area with a high density of fishing vessels.
Recommendations
Gard highlights that, mariners on vessels trading to Chinese ports or transiting Chinese coastal waters should familiarize themselves with the above circulars issued by the China MSA in September 2023 to ensure safe navigation through these waters.
In my experienced navigating in Chinese waters, I consider all waters in China are HRA when fishing ban is lifted. Most Chinese fishing boats were executing eratic maneuver and unpredictable intentions.