Europe depends on open waters for trade, energy, and security. However, lurking within the waves of international waters is a hidden danger: Chinese fishing trawlers that serve as extensions of Beijing’s maritime intelligence operations. Ostensibly commercial, these ships are integral to China’s “maritime militia.” They are outfitted with sophisticated sensors, satellite communications, and small arms, posing as deep-sea fishermen while gathering sensitive information. Their increasing presence across the Indian Ocean, Arabian Sea, Bay of Bengal, and beyond has caused two interconnected issues: damaging the livelihoods of local fishermen and supplying critical intelligence to the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN). This was particularly apparent during India’s military operation Sindoor, targeting terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan in May 2025, when seemingly benign fishing vessels trailed India’s navy, transmitting movements to both China and Pakistan.
According to the London-based think tank Overseas Development Institute (ODI), China’s distant-water trawler fleet is estimated to number around 17,000 vessels worldwide. Their purpose is not merely to pursue squid or tuna. A report by Andrew S. Erickson, Professor of Strategy at the China Maritime Studies Institute, U.S. Naval War College, indicates that a significant portion of these vessels are part of the People’s Armed Forces Maritime Militia (PAFMM), a state-sponsored entity that bolsters the PLAN and Coast Guard under the guise of civilian cover.
These ships are equipped with automatic identification system (AIS) transponders, satellite communication equipment, and high-intensity LED lights for nocturnal fishing, which is frequently done utilizing purse seines and gill nets. Some are armed with non-lethal devices such as water cannons or lasers—tools that are effective for ‘grey-zone’ harassment rather than legitimate fishing.
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