Joint Inspection Until the 2nd of Next Month to Prevent Marine Pollution
Mokpo Maritime Police Station (Chief Kwon Oh-seong) announced on the 8th that it will conduct on-site inspections of abandoned fishing gear targeting fishing vessels, fishing gear manufacturers, sellers, importers, and fish farms for three weeks from the 15th to August 2nd to prevent illegal dumping of abandoned fishing gear from fishing vessels.
Excessive use of fishing gear and loss or dumping of abandoned fishing gear have caused damage to fishery resources, marine accidents, and marine pollution, resulting in social and economic losses.
Accordingly, under the supervision of the Coast Guard and the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, Mokpo Maritime Police will conduct joint on-site inspections with related organizations such as the Mokpo Regional Maritime and Fisheries Office, local governments, and the Fisheries Cooperative.
During the pre-guidance period until the 12th of this month, awareness will be raised about the seriousness of abandoned fishing gear, and through touring meetings with fishing vessel associations by industry, legal disposal methods such as guidance on collection centers for fishing gear disposal will be promoted.
The Coast Guard’s main inspection items for fishing vessels include △ whether abandoned fishing gear is legally disposed of △ the status of fishing gear loss and abandoned fishing gear disposal △ verification of compliance with fishing gear management systems.
In particular, according to the revision of the Ship Pollution Prevention Regulations, the requirement to keep a waste record book has changed from vessels with a total tonnage of 400 tons or more to vessels of 100 tons or more, requiring attention from marine workers.
Inspections led by local governments on △ production and sales reporting systems △ fishing gear deposit systems △ use and disposal of buoys at fish farms will also be cooperated with and enforced.
A Mokpo Maritime Police official said, “Compared to the appropriate usage amount of fishing gear, the actual usage is 2.3 times excessive, and accidents involving fishing vessel propellers entangled by abandoned fishing gear occur frequently,” adding, “We ask for the active participation of fishermen and fishing gear-related workers to preserve a clean marine environment and prevent marine accidents.”
Meanwhile, Mokpo Maritime Police plans to check the legal disposal of pollutants such as waste oil and bilge water from fishing vessels in line with the opening of summer beaches, and will also conduct crackdowns on illegal activities such as discharging bilge water using submersible pumps.
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