The #SouthChinaSea and Food Security: Fish Wars

The growing competition is fuelling rows over maritime borders and fishery rights. China, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and the Philippines - countries that form the perimeter of the South China Sea - are locked in territorial disputes. While countries can claim rights under the EEZs, there is Beijing's nine- dash line that virtually claims all of the South China Sea as its own. Diplomats say Beijing is trying to add heft to its claim that the tongue- shaped nine-dash line represents the country's "traditional fishing grounds" through the presence of large numbers of private fishing vessels protected by its coast guard.

"It is a clever strategy because the marine fishing industries in the region aren't as equipped as the Chinese vessels which venture all over the globe," says one diplomat.

http://www.straitstimes.com/asia/south-china-sea-fish-wars