West Sea Coast Guard Agency Seizes Foreign Vessels for Illegal Fishing

Joint Crackdown Results in Seizure of 5 Vessels and Issuance of Warning Notices to 3 Vessels

The West Sea Regional Coast Guard Agency (Chief Im Myeong-gil) conducted a joint crackdown on illegal foreign fishing vessels in response to the increasing number of Chinese fishing boats entering after the conclusion of China's annual event 'Lianghui,' capturing five Chinese fishing vessels.

The West Sea Coast Guard is inspecting foreign fishing vessels illegally operating in our Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).
[Photo by West Sea Coast Guard]

According to the West Sea Coast Guard on the 22nd, from the 19th to the 22nd, three large ships and one aircraft were deployed to inspect and search foreign fishing vessels illegally operating within our Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).

As a result of the inspection, five Chinese fishing vessels were seized on charges including underreporting catch amounts and failure to record fishing logs, and a total bond of 160 million won was collected.

Additionally, three vessels with minor violations were issued warnings and guided to comply with lawful fishing operations.

The West Sea Coast Guard plans to continuously monitor and closely analyze the fishing activities of foreign vessels and will take strong measures to eradicate illegal fishing.

Im Myeong-gil, Chief of the West Sea Regional Coast Guard Agency, stated, “We will thoroughly crack down on illegal fishing to establish fishing order,” and added, “We will do our best to protect maritime sovereignty and conserve fishery resources.”