Gyeonggi-do Intensifies Crackdown on Illegal Marine and Inland Water Fishing

An illegal fishing crackdown team member is inspecting the use of illegal fishing gear.

[Asia Economy (Suwon) = Reporter Lee Young-gyu] Gyeonggi Province will conduct intensive crackdowns on illegal fishing in marine and inland waters.

Gyeonggi Province announced on the 6th that it will carry out intensive crackdowns on illegal fishing activities in marine and inland waters together with the West Sea Fisheries Management Unit of the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, and city and county governments until the 10th of next month to protect fishery resources during the autumn growth season of shellfish and fish.

For the coastal (marine) areas, the province will deploy three vessels including fishery patrol boats to inspect unauthorized fishing operations (including vessels from other cities and provinces), use and storage of illegal fishing gear, violations of prohibited catch sizes, and illegal distribution of fishery products.

Also, anticipating a surge in illegal distribution during the growth season when shellfish and fish grow significantly, the province will work with the West Sea Fisheries Unit to monitor illegal sales and transportation of caught fish at major fishery direct sales markets and traditional markets within the province.

Furthermore, focusing on major rivers and streams in the province such as the Namhan River, Bukhan River, Imjin River, Tando Lake, and Namyang Lake, specialized patrol boats will be deployed to crack down on unauthorized fishing activities, harmful fishing practices such as the use of electric shock devices (batteries), possession or sale of illegal catches, and the use of motorized boats, diving equipment, cast nets, and spears.

To prevent illegal fishing in advance, the province will post promotional materials at major regional fish markets, ports, harbors, and fishing communities, and conduct publicity and guidance activities targeting local fishermen.

The province will take strict measures including immediate legal action against detected illegal fishing according to relevant laws, as well as administrative actions such as cancellation of fishing permits and suspension of fishing activities.

Kim Seong-gon, Director of the Marine Fisheries Division of the province, emphasized, "Autumn is a very important time for increasing fishery resources as shellfish and fish that spawned and hatched in spring grow significantly. We will do our best to establish fishing order through intensive joint crackdowns to eradicate illegal fishing."

Earlier, during the spring spawning season, the province conducted intensive crackdowns on illegal fishing in coastal waters and rivers and streams within the province, detecting a total of 27 cases of unauthorized fishing and taking strong measures including legal action, administrative sanctions, and fines.