MOF, Korea Coast Guard Respond Jointly to Illegal Fishing by Chinese Fishing Boats

- Joint crackdown with zero-tolerance principle on Chinese fishing boats in serious violation

 The West Sea Fisheries Management Service of the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries (MOF, Minister Kang Do-hyung) announced that it would work with the West Sea Regional Coast Guard from Tuesday, December 3 to Thursday, December 5 to crack down intensively on illegal fishing by Chinese fishing boats in Korea's EEZ.

 As part of the joint crackdown, Chinese fishing boats will be intensively inspected during the peak fishing season for unauthorized fishing, concealment of catches, false reporting of catches, etc. and those committing serious violations such as violent group resistance will be severely punished.

 On Tuesday, November 19, the West Sea Fisheries Management Service captured two unlicensed bottom trawl fishing boats west of Eocheongdo island in Jeonbuk-do, collected a bond of 300 million won each, and handed them over to a Chinese Coast Guard vessel on Sunday, November 24 for further punishment.

 “As a follow-up measure to the Jeonnam Livelihood Discussion Conference held in March, the government will effectively respond to illegal fishing by Chinese fishing boats by utilizing buy-back fishing boats and fisheries guidance vessels and will continue to strive for sustainable fishery resource management. To protect the fishery resources of our seas and correct the fishing order by Chinese fishing boats, we will continue to respond jointly and crack down strongly with the relevant organizations,” Minister of Oceans and Fisheries Kang Do-hyung said.