Climate Change, Fisheries, and Sino-Japanese Conflict in the East China Sea

Sino-Japanese maritime conflict in the East China Sea (ECS) has been on the rise in recent years. This is in part due to historical territorial disputes, a rise in nationalism and pressure from public opinion in both states, existing gas and oil fields in the ECS, and Japan's recent purchase of the Senkaku/Diaoyu Islands in 2012; however, fisheries also play a role in this regional conflict. Since 2010, instances of conflict between fishermen and coast guard of navy vessels have continued to grow in frequency. This research aims to determine the extent to which fisheries influence regional conflict, and also the role that climate change plays in this rising conflict. Beyond overexploitation of fish stock, this research illustrates that the impact of climate change is expected to further reduce available fish stock which could influence worsened relations in the ECS. This research concludes with several implications that may occur as a result of a rise in maritime conflict involving fishing vessels and provides policy recommendations in an effort to curb this conflict.

Author

• Conn, Edith Antigone

Language

• en

Keyword

• Sino-Japanese
• Climate Change
• Fisheries
• Maritime Conflict
• Security
• East China Sea

Date created

• 2022

Type of Work

• Master's Thesis

License

• All rights reserved

Rights statement

• In Copyright

GW Unit

• International Affairs

Degree

• M.A.

Advisor

• King, Marcus D
• de Fontaubert, Charlotte

Persistent URL

•  https://scholarspace.library.gwu.edu/etd/w0892b95x