Tai-An Vessel Reviews and Specifications

The fishing vessel 'Tai An' is currently immobilized in Ushuaia due to a crew strike aimed at securing overdue wages. The labor dispute has been officially registered with the Ministry of Labor and Employment of Tierra del Fuego, under the file number MTE-E 32600-2025. Crew members have raised serious concerns regarding unpaid wages, delays in pension contributions, and the absence of necessary sworn statements impacting their social security benefits. Approximately 160 crew members are affected by this decision as they stand firm in their demand for full salary payments. Although some partial payments have been recorded, union officials emphasize that their claims are still unresolved. Liu Zhijiang, the vessel's owner, has stated that financial hardships and judicial embargoes have compounded the issue, although he has not provided any supporting documentation to the labor authorities. As of September 10, 2025, the 'Tai An' remains docked in Ushuaia, awaiting the outcomes of a mandatory conciliation process initiated by the Ministry of Labor. For more details and a photo report, visit: https://www.ushuaianoticias.com/2025/09/09/el-buque-tai-an-permanece-amarrado-en-ushuaia-por-un-conflicto-salarial/

In a remarkable enforcement action, Fisheries and Prefectural Authorities confiscated a substantial catch of toothfish from the fishing vessel 'Tai An' in Ushuaia, Argentina. The operation unfolded in the past few hours, highlighting ongoing concerns surrounding illegal fishing practices. Operated by Prodesur, the vessel found itself in hot water after authorities discovered approximately 163 tons of toothfish, valued at an astounding $4 million. Alarmingly, among the catch were juvenile specimens, the harvesting of which is universally banned to protect the declining population of toothfish. This decisive action was conducted under the auspices of the Undersecretariat of Fisheries and Agriculture, which identified notable environmental violations linked to the catch. The 'Tai An,' owned by Chinese businessman Liu Zhijiang, reportedly operated without the necessary extra quota for these fish, raising significant legal and ethical questions. The fallout from this operation was immediate, leading to the resignation of several officials, including Julián Suárez, Pablo Ferrara Raisberg, and Guillermo Abdala Bertiche, showcasing the deep implications of the incident for governance and sustainable fishing. A detailed report from the National Institute of Fisheries Research and Development (INIDEP) revealed troubling statistics: from February 4 to March 11, the 'Tai An' caught a total of 3,178 tons of fish, including 175 tons of toothfish over a series of seven hauls. Such figures represent a staggering 96% of the total catch, with the toothfish haul raising red flags as it was taken from a designated Juvenile Toothfish Protection Area (APJMN), deploying bottom trawl nets at depths around 450 meters. The vessel's repeated incursions into the protection zone every five to six days, along with its disregard for the maximum allowable catch of 5 tons per trip, suggest a calculated effort to exploit this vulnerable species. On February 10, after catching 12 tons of toothfish, the vessel was already in violation of CFP Resolution 9/23, which restricts the total allowable catch of toothfish to safeguard the species. Furthermore, the use of bottom trawling equipment in prohibited depths resulted in the capture of a shocking 55% juvenile toothfish, significantly exceeding the 20% limit established by current environmental regulations. As the 'Tai An' has not held a valid CITC for toothfish since 2020, it is in direct violation of Federal Fisheries Law (24,922) and multiple CFP regulations. This incident stands as a crucial reminder of the ongoing challenges in marine conservation and the commitment required from authorities to enforce sustainable fishing practices. For more information and photos related to this case, visit [the news source](https://www.surenio.com.ar/decomisan-el-cargamento-del-buque-tai-an/).

In a significant development, the factory trawler 'Tai An' has been detained in Ushuaia following allegations of illegally harvesting 142 tons of toothfish. This vessel, which is primarily used for producing surimi, was flagged Argentine despite its Chinese origins, operating under Prodesur, a company owned by Argentine-Chinese businessman Liu Zhijiang, based in Ushuaia. The Undersecretariat of Fisheries and local Prefecture acted swiftly upon discovering that the 'Tai An' had committed a serious environmental violation. Reports indicate that the trawler targeted young toothfish, a species protected by fishing quotas. As a result of this scandal, several officials have resigned, including Julián Suárez, the Director of Fisheries Control and Inspection, who claimed he faced undue pressure from the Foreign Ministry to overlook the illegal fishing activities of the vessel. Since February, the 'Tai An' has reportedly engaged in these unlawful operations, prompting concerns about the sustainability of marine ecosystems in the region. The case continues to unfold as authorities investigate the actions and implications of this controversial trawler.

On March 20, the vessel 'Tai An' docked in Ushuaia, carrying 163 tons of illegally caught toothfish, which could be valued at approximately $4 million. Allegations have emerged that the cargo was procured by PRODESUR S.A. without the necessary fishing permits. Antonio Cazorla, the Undersecretary of Fisheries for the Nation, raised concerns over the situation, instructing the Military Naval Prefecture to escort the ship to port and ensure its custody as officials examined the fishing documentation and established the accurate weight of the catch. The incident has led to significant political repercussions, including the resignation of two high-level officials: Julián Suárez, the National Director of Fisheries Coordination and Inspection since 2020, and Foreign Ministry representative Pablo Ferrara. Suárez stated that he faced pressure from the Foreign Ministry to avoid sanctioning the company linked to 'Tai An', alongside an unusual request to compile a list of 50 staff layoffs. His resignation came shortly after allegations surfaced regarding influence peddling, suggesting that specific interventions were made to allow the ship to sell its cargo. Ferrara submitted his resignation later that evening, while Argentine Foreign Minister Diana Mondino, who was in Vietnam at the time, confirmed that no familial ties linked Ferrara to her, as initially reported by Clarín.