China plans to increase the catch from its far-sea fishing fleet as it clamps down on fishing in its own heavily depleted waters, in a move likely to heighten maritime tension with other coastal nations.

The state-subsidised long-distance fleet is targeting an increase in its annual catch from 2m tonnes in 2016 to 2.3m tonnes in 2020, according to the agricultural ministry. Some 90m tonnes of wild fish were caught globally in 2016, according to the UN.

China’s far-ocean fleet increased its catch by nearly 50 per cent over the five years to 2016, according to China’s agricultural ministry. The haul — often sold to Chinese fish processors that export to Europe and the US — has fuelled international concerns over dwindling fish stocks and illegal fishing in territorial waters.