China's large fishing fleets operating along the Pacific coast have triggered concerns from several South American countries for the past few months. In June, about 340 large Chinese trawlers ventured into waters near Ecuador, triggering protests over possible threats to the Galapagos Islands, a UNESCO World Heritage site and home to many unique species.
These Chinese vessels were accused of frequently turning off their satellite-based automatic identification systems and entering the Ecuadorian exclusive economic zone, according to media reports.
Both countries say China's mega fishing fleets are threatening the security of their food source.
China ranks at the top of the world in demand for seafood. The country's fish consumption accounts for one-third of the world's total amount, with an annual growth rate of 6%.
Illegal fishing
Analysts say many Chinese vessels conduct "illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU)" fishing activities that threaten the sovereignty of other nations and endanger the global food security chain.
President Donald Trump on Tuesday singled out Chinese fishing practices in his speech to the United Nations, saying Beijing "dumps millions and millions of tons of plastic and trash into the oceans and overfishes other countries' waters."
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