Tensions between the United Kingdom and Argentina over the sovereignty of the Falkland Islands have contributed to a surge in unregulated fishing in the south-west Atlantic, as foreign fleets increasingly exploit the region’s marine resources without a coordinated management framework. The area, situated between Argentina, the Falklands, and Uruguay, is known for its rich stocks of squid, hake, and other fish species but lacks a multinational body to oversee sustainable fishing practices.

Fishing activity in this zone has accelerated markedly in recent years, with satellite data showing that fishing hours by approximately 500 vessels along a 20-nautical-mile strip adjacent to Argentina’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ) have doubled over the past decade. Fleets from China, Spain, Taiwan, and South Korea are among those intensifying their presence, with Chinese vessels alone accounting for around half of the 554 vessels detected near Argentina’s EEZ and doubling their fishing efforts in the year leading up to September 2026 compared to ten years earlier.

Experts warn that the absence of a regional fisheries management organisation (RFMO) leaves fish stocks vulnerable to overexploitation. While global examples of such organizations exist to regulate and protect fish populations, political disagreements have stalled similar cooperation in this region. Scientists and industry representatives emphasize the need for a unified governing body to manage fish stocks spanning multiple jurisdictions and international waters.

“The risk is that the fishery fails at some point, which would have significant impacts on Argentina, the Falklands, and the broader region,” said John Barton, chair of the Falkland Islands Fishing Companies Association. Echoing this concern, marine science professor Omar Defeo from the University of the Republic of Uruguay highlighted how political disputes and unregulated fleets operating in international waters are causing substantial depletion of marine resources.

Efforts to establish joint management between Argentina and the UK have repeatedly faltered. Cooperation attempts in the 1990s and 2010s ended under left-leaning Peronist governments in Argentina, which have generally pursued a more assertive claims policy over the islands, known in Argentina as the Malvinas. Although rightwing President Javier Milei initially sought improved relations and informal talks on sharing information about foreign fishing activities took place in 2025, these initiatives have stalled as Argentina intensifies its sovereignty claims. The Argentine government has recently increased sanctions against the islands and initiated international arbitration proceedings against the UK.

Officials close to Milei’s administration indicated that Argentina rejects the legitimacy of the Falklands government and views the fishing licenses it issues as unlawful, making any regional management body politically impossible. Meanwhile, fishing constitutes nearly two-thirds of the Falklands’ GDP, underscoring the economic stakes involved.

The region’s ecological conditions, including the nutrient-rich Patagonian continental shelf, attract large commercial fleets. However, only around 55 percent of fish stocks in the area were considered to be harvested at biologically sustainable levels in 2023, a decline from past years. The combination of increased fishing pressure and climate change-driven shifts in fish migration further complicates sustainable management.

The expansion of China’s distant-water fishing fleet has raised concerns among Latin American governments. China has rejected accusations of illegal fishing and political manipulation, citing measures such as moratoriums on squid harvesting and caps on vessel numbers, though critics argue these have not reduced overall fishing pressure but merely redistributed efforts.

Argentina has increased enforcement along its EEZ, issuing $3.5 million in fines over the first eight months of 2026. Meanwhile, the Falkland Islands suspended its recent fishing season for the small loligo squid due to unexpectedly low catches, highlighting the risks of overfishing.

Experts warn that without coordinated governance, a “race to fish” mentality prevails, where the absence of conservation incentives risks further depletion of shared marine resources. As Juliano Palacios Abrantes, a marine fisheries expert, put it, “If I don’t fish it today, somebody else will fish it tomorrow,” underscoring the challenge posed by the current management vacuum.