The Chinese fishing fleet's intensive fishing operations west of the Galápagos Marine Reserve in Ecuador are raising concerns about the survival of thousands of species in one of the planet's best-preserved marine ecosystems. The fleet, which has been present since 2016, is accused of contributing to the increase in plastic waste on the islands and avoiding regulation through practices like transshipment at sea. Ecuador's government, while maintaining close economic ties with China, has expressed its concerns through diplomatic channels and is seeking international cooperation to address the issue. The United States has criticized the lack of governance in the fleet's fishing practices, and there are fears that the Pacific waters of Latin America may face the same overfishing consequences as those in Asia and Africa.