Gyeonggi-do Intensifies Crackdown on Illegal Fishing During Autumn Spawning Season

Intensive Crackdown on Illegal Fishing

Gyeonggi Province will crack down on illegal fishing throughout October to coincide with the autumn spawning season.

On the 2nd, Gyeonggi Province announced that it will conduct joint operations with the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, the Coast Guard, and relevant city and county authorities to crack down on illegal fishing in 13 cities and counties within the province, including Hwaseong City, for the entire month of October to protect fishery resources.

The main enforcement targets include unauthorized fishing, capturing juvenile fish, use and storage of illegal fishing gear, unauthorized and unreported fishing activities in major water systems, lakes, and rivers, as well as restrictions on fishing during prohibited periods, size limits, and fish release activities.

In particular, at sea, enforcement will focus on high-risk areas during weekends and weekday evenings and early mornings when illegal fishing activities mainly occur. On land, inspections will concentrate on major ports, harbors, and fish markets to crack down on the sale and storage of illegally caught fish and related distribution activities.

Those caught will face penalties under relevant laws, including imprisonment for up to three years or fines of up to 30 million won. Administrative measures such as cancellation or suspension of fishing permits will also be enforced.

Kim Bong-hyun, Director of the Marine Fisheries Division of Gyeonggi Province, said, "Autumn is the season when the most fish are caught, and as fishing activities increase, illegal fishing is expected to rise. We will do our best to establish a sound fishing order in Gyeonggi Province through focused joint enforcement."

Meanwhile, last year, Gyeonggi Province detected 55 cases of illegal fishing, including unauthorized fishing, through intensive crackdowns.