The increasing presence of Chinese patrol boats in the WCPO is pushing Australia to intensify aerial checks in the region. A maritime expert explained that the Chinese presence could create tensions in the region, and warned the nation’s fishing vessels have been accused of IUU fishing in the WPCO. According to Peter Connolly, a Pacific security expert at the University of New South Wales, “The two most common nationalities involved in illegal fishing here are from China and Taiwan. Introducing Chinese coast guard patrols could complicate efforts to enforce the rules fairly,” reported news sites.

Earlier this year, Australia announced that it would spend AUD 477 million (USD 309.13 million) on aerial patrols due to the rising presence of Chinese patrol boats. Australia plays an important role in security and surveillance in the WCPO, primarily to help Pacific Island nations protect their tuna resources and stop IUU fishing through various initiatives such as Operation Kurukuru, an annual patrolling venture carried out every year. The country has provided patrol boats to several Pacific countries and conducts regular naval and air patrols.

Mexican tuna company Grupomar recently got the first place in the ‘National Tuna Fishing Ranking 2025.’ The catches of its seiner, ‘F/V Gijón’, exceeded 9,400 M/T in 2025, the largest caught by a Mexican-flagged vessel this year. The company said that it also surpassed the record for yellowfin fishing in the EPO, set in 2003 by another vessel from the Grupomar fleet, the ‘María Luisa’, which took the second place this year with its 8,400 tons of tuna catches. The ‘F/V Gijón is 79 meter long and has a 1,600 m3 fish hold capacity and a 2,042 gross tonnage.

Government officials and members from Grupomar attended the ceremony held last week. The company stated that this achievement “consolidates Grupomar as the most efficient tuna fleet by carrying capacity and the most modern in Mexico, reflecting the professionalism, experience, and commitment of its crews.” Don Antonio Suárez Gutiérrez, founder of Grupomar, said, “This success is a reflection of the great work of the men of the sea.” The company received numerous laurels this year. Last month, Grupomar was honored for its sustainable practices and commitment to responsible fishing by receiving a green credit. Earlier this year, it was awarded second place in Mexico’s 2025 Sustainable Fishing and Aquaculture Award.

Large purse seiner ‘El Dorado’, owned by Pesca Azteca, was docked for maintenance in Mazatlán, Mexico, when it suddenly caught fire on the afternoon of November 15. The shipyard workers noticed smoke coming from the hull of the vessel and alerted emergency services. Firefighters and company fire department personnel quickly arrived on the scene and extinguished the fire from the fire towers installed along the docks and with water cannons from a nearby vessel.

However, this could not prevent flames from spreading rapidly through the structure due to the presence of flammable materials used in the repair work. Fortunately, no injuries have been reported so far, only material damage to the ship and thick smoke, which caused breathing problems for firefighters. An investigation is being conducted to determine the cause of the incident. Initial reports indicated that it may have been caused by a short circuit resulting from work being carried out on board, reported several Mexican news sites. The 81-meter-long ‘El Dorado’ with a 1,711-ton fish hold capacity arrived in port a week ago to unload its tuna cargo and undergo some repairs.