Mokpo Coast Guard, 60 Cases of Illegal Eel Fishing Caught

Strong Crackdown to Eradicate Illegal Fishing... Establishing Maritime Order

Mokpo Maritime Police Station (Chief Kim Hae-cheol) conducted a special crackdown on illegal glass eel fishing from February 27 to March 3, resulting in a total of 60 cases being detected.

According to Mokpo Maritime Police on the 6th, the special crackdown was carried out to protect fishery resources, prevent disputes, and establish maritime order in the nearby seas of Mokpo, Sinan, and Yeonggwang areas.

Mokpo Maritime Police Station exterior view
[Photo by Mokpo Maritime Police Station]

This special crackdown focused on unauthorized vessel fishing, illegal fishing activities beyond permitted operations by authorized vessels, and maritime safety violations caused by glass eel barges invading navigation routes within the territorial waters.

By type of violation, there were 34 cases (57%) of illegal fishing gear loading, 19 cases (32%) of unauthorized vessel fishing, 3 cases (5%) of unregistered vessels, and other unreported fishing activities, totaling 60 cases, an increase of 33 cases compared to 27 cases last year.

In particular, 34 cases of illegal fishing activities using dip nets and LED fishing lights were detected around the Peace Square and Noeul Park areas in Mokpo City, charged with violations of the Fisheries Resource Management Act.

A Mokpo Maritime Police official stated, “We plan to continue strong crackdowns on illegal activities that threaten the maritime safety of the public, such as illegal glass eel fishing.”

Meanwhile, illegal capture of glass eels is punishable by up to three years imprisonment or a fine of up to 30 million KRW under the Fisheries Act.