Intelligence Squared Ghost Ships and Geopolitics, with Ian Urbina and Ros Urwin
Aug 18, 2020
Ian Urbina, an investigative reporter known for uncovering illegal fishing practices, joins journalist Rosamund Urwin to discuss alarming revelations about a Chinese squid fleet fishing in North Korean waters, violating UN sanctions. They investigate the shocking connection between these activities and the mysterious deaths of North Korean fishermen whose bodies have washed ashore in Japan. The conversation also delves into the geopolitical implications of ghost ships and the resilience of those exploited in the fishing industry.
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Ghost Ships Appear in Japan
- Ghost ships, decrepit wooden North Korean boats, began washing up on Japanese shores around six years ago.
- These boats often contained emaciated dead bodies, initially believed to be fishermen who had gone too far out to sea.
Chinese Illegal Fishing
- A large Chinese squid fleet is illegally fishing in North Korean waters, impacting squid stocks and North Korean fishermen.
- Satellites revealed around 800 Chinese squid boats with their transponders off in North Korean waters.
Increased Ghost Ships
- The number of ghost ships increased due to Chinese overfishing and UN sanctions on North Korea.
- These factors forced North Korean fishermen to venture further out, leading to more deaths at sea.
