The South China Sea fishing crisis: the overlooked role of Chinese subnational governments

Abstract

The South China Sea (SCS), one of the world’s most important fishing areas, faces a looming fishing crisis. This impending catastrophe is chiefly driven by rampant overfishing and illegal activities, intensified by escalating maritime conflicts. Current research predominantly fixates on maritime territorial and sovereignty disputes, typically emphasizing the state’s primary or exclusive role in the SCS fishery governance. The state centric approach, however, overlooks the integral role of substate entities. This research introduces a new dimension to the discussion, highlighting the pivotal role of subnational governments in China with an in-depth case study on the Hainan provincial government. Utilising the fragmented authoritarianism framework and through a comprehensive analysis of central and local policy documents, news reports, and academic articles, this research discerns Hainan’s significant but understudied role in contributing to the SCS fishery crisis. Hainan’s impact on SCS fisheries is particularly manifest in three key areas: the advocacy for outward expansion of marine fisheries, the endorsement of Hainan’s Giant Clam Handicraft sectors, and the securitization of its fishing fleet in the South China Sea.