Geumju Moon, Leads the Proposal for the Amendment of the Fisheries Resource Management Act

Eradicating Online Distribution of 'Illegal Seafood'
Contributing to the Creation of a Sustainable Fisheries Environment

Assemblyman Moon Geum-ju.

Moon Geum-ju, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea (representing Goheung, Boseong, Jangheung, and Gangjin in Jeonnam), announced on the 17th that she has taken the lead in proposing the "Amendment to the Fisheries Resources Management Act" to eradicate the illegal online distribution of seafood. Illegal seafood refers to seafood caught in violation of the law, such as during closed seasons or below the minimum catch size.

The amendment prohibits intermediaries involved in online sales from brokering or acting as purchasing agents for illegal seafood, and imposes fines of up to 10 million KRW if caught. Additionally, if a violator is found to have brokered or acted as a purchasing agent for illegal seafood more than twice within two years and has received administrative sanctions, their name or business name will be publicly disclosed.

During the national audit conducted last month, Representative Moon pointed out the rampant distribution of illegal seafood online to the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries and the National Federation of Fisheries Cooperatives, urging thorough crackdowns on the issue.

In response, the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries formed a task force to inspect the current status of illegal online seafood distribution and convened major online shopping companies to conduct education aimed at eradicating illegal seafood distribution, taking immediate action.

Representative Moon stated, "Even before the national audit began, I planned measures to eradicate illegal seafood distribution to create a sustainable fishing environment and ensure stable income for fishermen. I will do my utmost until the proposed bill passes the National Assembly and contributes to establishing a sustainable fishing environment."