Mokpo Coast Guard Seizes 2 Unauthorized Illegal Fishing Chinese Vessels

Mokpo Coast Guard is boarding an unauthorized illegal fishing Chinese vessel. Photo by Mokpo Coast Guard

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Kim Chunsu] Two Chinese fishing vessels engaged in unauthorized illegal fishing were consecutively seized by the Coast Guard.

According to the Mokpo Coast Guard on the 16th, at around 5:41 a.m. the previous day, the Chinese fishing vessel A (100 tons, single trawl net, 7 crew members), which was illegally fishing without permission, was seized 96 km northwest off Gageodo, Sinan-gun, Jeollanam-do.

Subsequently, at around 5:47 a.m. on the same day, the Coast Guard additionally seized the Chinese fishing vessel B (100 tons, single trawl net, 5 crew members), which was illegally fishing without permission 101 km northwest off Gageodo.

While performing patrol duties near our Exclusive Economic Zone waters that morning, the Coast Guard discovered the illegal fishing activities of vessels A and B, immediately deployed a maritime special task force to conduct inspections, and confirmed catches of 106 kg and 60 kg respectively from their fishing gear.

The Coast Guard escorted the two vessels to the dedicated pier in Mokpo on the morning of the 16th, and after COVID-19 testing and quarantine measures, plans to conduct further investigations into the unauthorized fishing charges with the captains and others.

A Mokpo Coast Guard official stated, “We will do our best to protect maritime sovereignty and ensure the safe fishing operations of our fishermen through strong crackdowns on illegal fishing.”