Recently, reports of illegal shellfish harvesting have been increasing in the waters off Jinhae-gu, Changwon-si, Gyeongnam, prompting the Coast Guard to strengthen crackdowns.
The saejogae, named because its flesh resembles a bird's beak, is considered a winter delicacy. It is usually harvested mainly in February and March, but due to last summer's high water temperatures, it disappeared from the seas nationwide, including the southern coast.
As the catch volume sharply declined and saejogae began to be traded at high prices, illegal fishing targeting them has continued in Jinhaeman.
According to the Changwon Coast Guard on the 18th, six reports have been received from December last year to recently about non-fishermen illegally harvesting saejogae and other shellfish in the Jinhaeman area.
Only licensed fishermen are allowed to fish in the Jinhaeman fishing grounds, but those called "pirates" among fishermen are said to be indiscriminately scooping up shellfish without permission.
The Changwon Coast Guard responded to the reports by dispatching personnel to the scene, and the fishing cooperative conducted its own patrols to apprehend offenders, but these individuals escaped each time on high-speed outboard motorboats.
To counter such illegal fishing and alleviate fishermen's concerns, the Changwon Coast Guard will conduct a special crackdown on illegal gillnet fishing vessels until March 30.
Gillnets refer to nets with heavy weights attached at the ends that sweep the seabed to harvest shellfish.
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The Coast Guard plans to crack down on ▲ fishing in others' fishing grounds ▲ unauthorized gillnet fishing ▲ gillnet fishing outside designated fishing areas and violations of fishing zones.
Additionally, they will form a dedicated task force by mobilizing all available personnel, including investigative and criminal officers from affiliated police stations and local police officers, dividing the jurisdictional waters such as Jinhae and Masan into four zones for deployment.
Patrol vessels, including criminal rapid response boats, will be permanently stationed in crime-prone waters to enforce regulations.
Alongside crackdowns, they will analyze vulnerable ports and harbors, gather intelligence, and conduct preventive activities to preempt potential crimes.
A Changwon Coast Guard official stated, “We will strictly enforce regulations against illegal activities to restore fishing order and prevent maritime accidents.”
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