[Asia Economy (Chungbuk) Reporter Jeong Il-woong] Chungbuk Province will crack down on illegal fishing during the spring fish spawning season for two months starting next month.
According to the province on the 31st, the crackdown will be carried out by a joint task force formed by the province and the local cities and counties to regulate illegal fishing activities occurring in areas with frequent illegal fishing, aiming to establish a sustainable utilization base for inland water fishery resources.
The main targets of the crackdown are ▲ unlicensed, unauthorized, or unreported fishing and violations of license, permit, or report details ▲ violations of prohibited capture periods, zones, and size limits ▲ harmful fishing methods such as explosives, toxic substances, or electric currents ▲ use of boats, scuba diving equipment, cast nets, and spears.
Due to the limited habitat space of fish in inland waters, illegal fishing during the spawning season rapidly depletes fishery resources and increases the possibility of aquatic ecosystem destruction. Moreover, once the aquatic ecosystem is destroyed, restoration is difficult.
Accordingly, the province has conducted crackdowns every year, detecting 35 cases in 2016, 17 cases in 2017, 11 cases in 2018, and 24 cases in 2019.
In addition, illegal fishing catches and gear are confiscated from those caught, and strict punishment is ensured through prosecution for illegal activities. Illegal fishers are also excluded from various support projects, including government facility support loan programs.
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