Korea and US join cooperative forces on managing fishing activities

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The first Korea-US International Fisheries Management meeting kicked off and will be held annually.

The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries (MOF; Minister MOON Seong-Hyeok) announced on 24 November 2020 Tuesday that the first Korea-US International Fisheries Management Meeting was held with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration of the U.S. (NOAA) in a virtual format to further strengthen bilateral cooperation between the two countries in the areas of international fisheries management.

The meeting was first put forward by the Korean government based on a consensus on the need for a bilateral communication channel and close mutual cooperation between the two countries. The shared view was developed during the course when the government was lifted from a preliminary list just four months after the U.S. designated* the Republic of Korea as an IUU** fishing nation in September 2019.

* NOAA designated the Republic of Korea as an IUU fishing nation on 19 September 2019 on the grounds of illegal fishing activities of Korean distant water fishing vessels in 2019, and removed it from the list on 21 January 2020, 125 days after it was put on the list. 

** IUU stands for illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated.

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The dialogue was attended by WOO Dong-Sik, Director General of International Cooperation Policy Bureau of the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, Chris Oliver, Assistant Administrator for NOAA fisheries, and Capt. Jason Brennell, Chief of Enforcement for the U.S. Costal Guard’s 17th District.

At the meeting, the two sides discussed ways to cooperate in the fight against IUU fishing and exchanged information on applicable laws and regulations enacted in each country to promote sustainable fisheries, such as Korea’s Distant Water Fisheries Development Act and U.S.’s Marine Mammal Protection Act. Furthermore, starting with this meeting, the delegates agreed to hold an annual meeting alternatively hosted by each side.

“The Korea-US International Fisheries Management Meeting will serve as an official communication channel where the two countries can closely discuss major issues related to fisheries management, including IUU fishing activities,” said Director General Woo. “Taking this opportunity, I expect that Korea, along with the U.S., will become a leading country globally in sustainable fishing and the fight against IUU fishing.”